Sunny Saturday!

Happy Saturday Ya'll!!

It is an absolutely beautiful day here in the Tennessee mountains! I have been stuck inside all morning writing a paper but I am getting ready to head outside and enjoy this beautiful sunshine. 

Today is Day 20 in Katie's blogging challenge and the topic is Nicknames. I have only had a few nicknames but they are very special to me.

Everyone I know calls me Tash....that is probably my most common nickname. My real name is NaTasha. I have always went by Tasha. My favorite little neighbor also calls me Tash and I just love the way she says it.

My two little cousins and my neighbors kiddos, when they were little, called me Ta-Ta because it was hard for them to say Tasha.

When my two favorite little kiddos started talking they couldn't say Tasha either so they came up with Shasha. I spelled it exactly the way they say it. It was so cute the way they said it and I just loved it.This was by far my favorite nickname. Everyone used that nickname when the kiddos were little. I can remember the day that they actually said Tasha, I started crying and begged them to call me Shasha again :(

Well that is all for my nicknames!

I am so happy to be having a Girl's Night tonight!!!

These sweet girls...

and our Momma's are going downtown to...

our favorite hangout...Stateline Bar and Grill...for dinner

Then we are going to see...

Miranda Lambert...

Eric Church...and

Josh Kelly in concert!

I am so excited!

Well that is all for me today because I have to go get ready. I hope that all of you have a great afternoon and evening. Happy Halloween weekend and be safe!

Tasha

Q & A

It is time for me to answer a few questions that Nicole tagged for me!

1.  How has blogging changed your life?

I have only been blogging for 12 days and I cannot fathom all of the sweet blogging friends I have made. I can't believe in just 12 short days that 22 of you have decided to follow my blog. I look forward to meeting the followers to come (I hope there are lots!!!) This blog has allowed me to open up about my life and share so many important things. I love looking at all of these great blogs everyday.

2.  If you could have any talent, what would it be?

If I could have any talent, I wish I could sing. I love to turn the radio up in my car and sing to all of my favorite songs. I would NEVER allow anyone to hear me! I love music and I think it would be so much fun to be a singer. I would love to be Taylor Swift for a day.

3.  What names do you like for your future children? Or, How did you decide on your children's names?

I have known for years what I would love to name my future children. I cannot wait to have children so this is avery important topic for me. For a boy, his name would be Jackson Michael. I would call him Jack for short. I just love the name Jackson and Jack. The middle name Michael is for my brother. For a girl, I love Gracie, Ava, Layla, Lola, Audrey, Maggie...and the list goes on and on. I will probably use some of those names together. Such as Ava Grace or Layla Grace.

4.  What is your favorite piece of jewelry?

I wear the same pieces of jewelry everyday day. My diamond earrings from my Dad. My Pandora charm bracelet, necklace and stackable rings....it is never a good idea to go into the Pandora store. You will want everything! I would love to add a big, cute watch to my collection but I haven't found the right one yet.

5.  What do you want most for Christmas this year?

Well last year I got this...

The 90th Edition Candy Apple Red/ Glass Bowl Kitchen Aid Mixer

I absolutely love it!

This year....I want....

Cuisinart 16-cup Food Processor

I love to cook so it is important that I have all of the right equipment!

6.  If you could go on a mission trip anywhere where would you go?

I am planning on going on a mission trip within the next year to either Uganda or Haiti (maybe both) with Safe World Nexus.

7.  Who is your favorite Disney princess and why?  (I know you have one!)

My favorite Disney princess is Jamine. She is my favorite princess because of this little girl...

I think she and the princess look alike and they share the same name.

8.  If you had a million dollars to donate, what organization would you donate to?

This would be very hard for me to decide. I would have to split the money up and donate to St. Jude's Medical Research, Susan G. Komen Foundation and Make A Wish.

All of these are very important to me!

That was so much fun, thanks Nicole for tagging me!

Ok, now it is my turn to ask a few questions...

1. What is your favorite season and why?
2. If you had to evacuate your home and could only bring one item, what would it be and why?
3. What is your idea of a perfect day?
4. If you won a free trip and could choose the destination, where would you go?
5. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
6. What is your favorite dessert?
7. What do you love most about blogging?
8. What is your favorite kind of music and why?

now I get to tag a few of you to answer these questions!

Katie at Katie's Journey

Leslie at Life In It's Ordinary Form

Lindsi at The Hancock's

Miss V at Short and Sweet

Miss Southern Vol

Southern Soul Mates

Rachel at Simple Little Joys

Pearls, Curls and a Southern Girl

I hope to see all of you play along!

Tasha

Long Day....Long Blog and Day 19

Shew! It has been such a long day. I had a follow up doctor's appointment this morning for my surgery. The doctor said that all 3 of my incisions were healing great but I have a bladder infection. Ugh! Oh well, I hoping that I will eventually get better. Oh, did I mention I fell down the stairs??? Well I did, on Thursday, so I am very sore from that also. Well this is going to be a very long blog so I better get to it.

I was so very excited when I logged on to Blogger and saw that I won my first blogging award!!! We will get to that later in the post, I am going to start with Day 19 in Katie's blogging challenge. 

Day 19: Something I Miss

Well at this very moment I am missing...

these kiddos! I have not seen them in over a week (that is a record) and I can't wait to get my hands on them!

I miss my grandfather...

He died almost three years ago from brain cancer and I miss him so much everyday! I can't wait to see his sweet face again :)

I miss my brother...

I wish sometimes I would have been older when he passed away so I would have gotten the chance to know him. I don't remember him. I heard his voice a couple of years ago for the first time on a home video. I just sat in the floor and wept because it was so emotional to hear his voice. It is very hard for my dad to talk about him still so I am so lucky to have my fill in "brother." He loves to tell me stories about him and my brother and it makes me so happy.

Well that is all for Day 19!

My First Award

I was so happy when I logged on to blogger and saw that these sweet ladies gave me an award!

Thank you so much Nicole

and

Kari

for my 1st award!!

To accept the Versatile Blogger Award the rules are:

{1}: Thank and link back to who gave you the award.

{2}: Share 7 things about yourself.

{3}: Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy!

{4}: Leave the recipients a note, telling them about the award.

So here goes!

7 Things About Tasha

1. I think I have told you this before but I absolutely LOVE Grey's Anatomy!!! I have all 6 seasons on dvd and I have watched them at least 20 times all the way through. I can tell you exactly what is going to happen in every single episode and probably say recite most of the lines.

2. I cannot go to sleep unless the tv is on. I hate sleeping in hotel rooms with other people who do not like to have the tv on...it drives me crazy! Yep, you guessed it, I normally fall asleep watching Grey's Anatomy.

3. I love to read gossip magazines. I know it's lame but I love them. Every Friday I go to Wal-mart or Target to buy People and US Weekly. I also love to read Shape, Self, Paula Deen Magazine, Real Simple, Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Redbook....I love them all!

4. I could eat shrimp everyday. 

5. I love my cell phone. I am not sure how I survived years ago lol. My parents call it my oxygen supply and it must be in my hand at all times for me to breathe!

6. I love to swim and have been swimming all my life but still have to hold my nose when I go underwater.

7. I hate to wear socks. I don't like the way they feel.

I am giving this award to...

Katie at Katie's Journey

Leslie at Life In It's Ordinary Form

Lindsi at The Hancock's

Miss V at Short and Sweet

Miss Southern Vol

Southern Soul Mates

Rachel at Simple Little Joys

Caitlin at Finding the Exception

Sorry that was a long post but so fun!

Tasha

Thankful Thursday!

Good Evening!

I have so many things to be thankful for in my life, so I thought I would share a few with you!

I am so thankful for my loving parents. They are the best parents, not because they have always given me everything I have ever wanted or needed but because they love me unconditionally and support me in everything I do.

I am thankful for these two kiddos. They bring so much joy into my life and I love them to death. Thanks to my surgery, I haven't seen them in a week and I miss them soooo much!

I am thankful for fall temperatures finally.

I am thankful for my Insyler, lol! I have extremely curly hair and this little tool is a lifesaver.

I am thankful for my church family and all of there sweet prayers during my surgery.

I am thankful for my Macbook Pro. I know this sounds crazy but I love this computer. My parents gave this to me for my birthday this year and I absolutely love it. No more PC's for me.

I am thankful for my blog and my sweet blogging friends. I have only been blogging for a few days and already have 19 followers. That amazes me! I love everyone's sweet comments and look forward to reading all the blogs out there. I hope to have many more followers and make some great friendships.

Well that is all for me today. I am headed downtown to "Dress Up Karaoke Night" at my favorite Bar and Grill. No, I do not sing but I love watching all of the amazing talent the people in my small town have.

I hope you have a great evening and goodnight!!

Tasha

Day 18

Something I Regret

Good morning blogging friends! I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason (hence the blog name) so I try not to regret anything. I try to learn from every experience, good or bad. Are there things I wish I would have done differently??? Absolutely! 

I wish that in high school and college that I would have tried harder and gave it my all. In high school I was a large socializer. I had tons of friends and a boyfriend so I was more concerned about what we were doing every night instead of worrying about my education. I made good grades but not to my full potential. I am still in college and trying to apply myself more. I am a procrastinator, in some things! I sometimes wish that I would have went off to a large university. Would my life be different? Would I be more involved in my own education? Would I have met new friends? Would I have met a future husband? I don't regret not doings these things. I just wonder what the outcome would be. 

I wish I would have started this blog a long time ago. I started looking at blogs in June. I was hesitant to start my own. Who would want to read about my life? Well I am so happy that I took the plunge and started blogging. I absolutely love it. I love to get on here everyday and see all of your sweet comments and new followers. I love reading all of the other blogs and learning about other people's lives. I am sure that some of us would have been best friends if we would have went to high school together :)

I hope ya'll have a great Thursday! 

Tasha

What I'm Loving Wednesday! and Day 17

Happy Wednesday Ya'll!!!!

Can you believe it's almost November??? I must say that I am ready for the holiday season and for this semester to be OVER!

Here is what I am loving this Wednesday....

I am loving my Mom! I always love my Momma but this week she is getting extra love for taking such good care of me after my surgery. It's true....no one will take care of you and love you like your Mom will! Thanks Mom :)

I am loving this plaid, flannel shirt from American Eagle.

I am loving this leopard scarf to dress up a plain T and jeans.

I am loving that I am going to the Miranda Lambert Concert this Saturday night.

I am loving that Taylor Swift's new cd came out yesterday.

I am loving this new Pandora charm. I will definitely be adding this to my bracelet to remind me of all the memorable plane rides I've had.

I am loving all of the beautiful colors of fall I see outside my window.

I am loving my new sweater!
I am loving that the temperatures are starting to cool down so I can wear my cute sweaters and jackets.

Day 17: Something I am Looking Forward To

I am looking forward to this semester being over.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I am looking forward to what the new year will bring.
I am looking forward to graduating college.
I am looking forward to finding a full time teaching job and a classroom full of kiddos.
I am looking forward to meeting someone who loves me with all of his heart.
I am looking forward to one day planning my dream wedding.
I am looking forward to becoming a mom.
I am looking forward to Jr. Drag Racing season for the kiddos in the spring.
I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for my life.
I am looking forward to growing old with the man I love and daily visits from our children and grandchildren.

Well that is all for me today!
I hope everyone has a great day. I will be working on a take home test the rest of the day! Ahhh the joys of being a college student!

Happy Wednesday!

Tasha

Day 16

My Dream Home

Well I hope that everyone has had a great Tuesday! I am still recovering from surgery and decided I would make by first outing by myself to get the DVD I told you about earlier, well that was a bad idea! It wore me out and I have been absolutely useless today. I plan on laying in bed the rest of the evening. I am sure I will keep myself busy by catching up on the DVR and reading the large stack of magazines I picked up today during my outing. :)

I am very excited to share my dream home with all you sweet blogging friends! This is a topic very near and dear to my heart, I was an architectural major for about a year until I decided that I did not want to move away from home for several years. I started designing homes on my computer around the age of 12 and just fell in love with it. I may possibly do it on the side one day since I have such a passion for it. I love everything about architecture and design. I love driving around looking at homes, especially when I am in a new city. 

I was very fortunate to grown up in a beautiful cedar and stone house in the Tennessee mountains. The house sits on 6 acres so I had plenty of room to run and play with no neighbors in sight. I still live at home and hate to leave because I love my home and its location.  My passion for homes tends to make me not settle on one particular style. I love many different styles of homes. 

Here are a few of my dream homes...

I love all of the styles and it would just depend on the location as to which one I would choose. 

Some important features inside are...

A large kitchen

I couldn't find a picture I liked so I used pictures of my friend's kitchen in Texas. It is absolutely beautiful. It has two large islands, hidden sub zero refrigerator and freezer and a beautiful granite sink. 

A few other things I love...

Mudroom

Playroom

Media Room

Large back porch/ veranda

Outdoor Kitchen w/ bar

and last but not least...

A beautiful pool!

I love having a pool at our house! A pool will be a must when I have children of my own!

I apologize for the long post but I warned you that I love houses! I dread the day I have to sit down and start making decisions on exactly what I want!

I hope you have a great evening!

Tasha

Do Not Disturb...

I made a quick trip to Sam's club this morning to get this...

so if you need me I will be curled up on the couch for the next 146 minutes with a big, warm blanket, sweet tea and chocolate chip cookies watching this cute movie!

Tasha

Top 2 Tuesday

I love "theme days" for my blog! I have decided to link up to these everyday (as I have time) to help get my blog organized and meet new bloggers! So today I will be linking up to The Undomestic Momma.

Here are two adorable Fall/ Halloween decorations that I will definitely be doing next year!

1. I love these pumpkins! They are so different and would be great displayed inside or outside.

I found these @ The Autocrat

2. I love anything made into a topiary, especially pumpkin topiaries. I found two ideas that I really love. One is for the inside and the other for outside. 

I love the way this mantle is decorated. I found this @Gail's Decorative Touch

These would be so cute on my front porch. Get this tutorial @The Soladay Family

What are some of your favorite fall decor ideas???

Tasha