A list.

I am typically a list maker. I am better at accomplishing my to do's when I see them written out on a list that I can check off. So, today I thought I would make a little list of the many reasons why you haven't seen me around this blogging world in a week.

1. Last Saturday night, we threw a surprise birthday party for a close friend. My parent's friends recently bought a short bus (Do not ask me why because I do not know. It's just something us rednecks from Tennessee do...HA!) Anyways, we decorated the short bus with banners and balloons and  picked up my friend. He was completely surprised and grateful and it turned out to be a great evening. Oh and I made some wonderful homemade Snickers cupcakes for the event.

2. Monday, I got to keep my precious little Kingston. It was a wonderful day! I love that little man more than words can express and I loved spending my day just starring at him and catering to his every little need. I snapped some wonderful pictures of his smiling face. I hate that he is growing (only 2 months!) up but I love that he is starting to show expression and his little personality is coming out. 

(I will write a post full of pictures of our day together.)

3. Tuesday, I started school. I am so sad that the summer is OVER! I am really not excited about school this semester at all. That's really all I have to say about school!

4. Tuesday and Wednesday, I spent cleaning and organizing the house. I love to clean and organize, when I am in the mood. If I am not in the mood it is not going to happen...at all! Luckily, I have been in the mood all week. I am very proud of my work and trying my best to keep it clean. 

5. Yesterday, I woke up very early and decided to clean my car. I normally have my car detailed for $100. I had an oil change and I was going to have it detailed Monday and I decided that it was a waste of money. I could spend that money on new clothes, fun, charity or just save it. Two and a half hours later I think I have changed my mind. It was hard work but I love having a clean car. Yesterday, was one of the best days I have had in a long time. If you read my blog, you know that every Thursday night my parents and some of my friends go to karaoke at our local bar and grill. I love seeing all the amazing talent that we have in my small little town. It is race weekend in BRISTOL!! That means that 160,000 people are packed into my town. On Thursday night they close off State Street for Family Race Night. Drivers, cars and vendors line the streets for some Nascar fun. Stateline Bar and Grill, our local hangout, does an all day karaoke event. It starts at 1pm until 2am. They have an auction to raise money for a local battered women's shelter. All the tips and the cover at the door goes to the cause, too. Last year they raised $7,000 for the charity. Last night they broke the record with $10,000 for the charity. My crew and I got there at 1pm and it was crazy packed (we couldn't move). I made it to 1:30am and I was so tired I couldn't hold my eyes open. It was a great night, for a great cause and I met some great people from out of town that LOVE my town!

6. Today, I haven't moved from the couch. I am still adjusting to life without a gallbladder. Don't let anyone ever tell you that life is better without a gallbladder. If I eat something that my body doesn't like, I am sick within 10 minutes. I ate lunch yesterday and it did not agree with me so I didn't eat dinner. I have been sick all day. I am staying on the couch resting up for tonight's festivities.

7. I am very excited about a fun weekend. I have two birthday parties this weekend and I can't wait to spend time with some great friends.

Shew, that's it. Sorry it was a little longer than planned!

I hope that ya'll have a great weekend!

Tasha

An evening walk.

Hello, Hello!

I've been trying to walk every evening the past few weeks. I lost 10 pounds with my gallbladder sickness, so I am trying to keep that off (I know, that is cheating!). I go walking with my parents friends at our dam. There is a cute little island and the city made a walking trail on it. It is always busy with people walking, riding bikes, fly fishing and having picnics. It is in the woods and completely surrounded by water, so it is wonderful for hot evening walks. I had the kiddos last night, so I forced them to walk 2 1/2 miles and take pictures!

After our walk, we rode to the top of the dam to snap a few pictures...

Our lake is beautiful. I love living in the mountains!

Also, I love my Mac. Without this wonderful computer I would not have Photo Booth to entertain the kiddos...

Have a great day!

Tasha

My weekend in pictures...

I had a fun and short weekend. Here are a few pictures from my weekend...

Thursday night karaoke at Stateline.

(My friend Amanda just moved to Texas and she came in for a quick trip this weekend. So, we went to our local hangout downtown, Stateline Bar and Grill, every night. I normally don't go out this much, just Thursday and Friday night!)

Friday night car show downtown.

(The city shut down our "small" downtown area for this event. Including our one main street and the side streets. My Dad brought his 66' Nova and parked it in front of Stateline. I knew when my Mom and I got there that it would not be as packed as expected. Well, I was wrong! 10,000 people showed up! Even Jay Leno had two cars in the show.)

Friday night fun after the car show at Stateline.

Saturday night at the Comedy Zone.

Saturday night at Stateline.

Blue sky and big white clouds after a storm on Sunday.

Sunset on Sunday.

Oh, guess who is 2 months old today???

Kingston! I think he gets cuter everyday!

That's it folks!

Have a great week!

Tasha

Carrie Bradshaw.

A wise woman once said, 

"As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going."

The wise woman:

Carrie Bradshaw

Thank you Carrie! 

Tasha

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Good morning lovelies!

I am linking up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I am loving...that I no longer look like this. No folks, I am not pregnant, just swollen from surgery. (I did have a little fun with this picture though...ha!)

I am loving... this precious little man! He is growing way too fast and seriously needs to slow down.

I am loving...this sinful, amazing, horribly fattening, southern dessert...Fried Oreos! I cannot resist these little things. I try to walk past the little stand every time, but I just can't do it.

I am loving...this view. I snapped this picture during an evening walk. So peaceful.

I am loving...this sweet lady. If you don't read Nicole's blog, you are missing out. I am so thankful for the wonderful friendship we share. Even though we are hundreds of miles apart, she is always there when I need encouragement, prayers or just to talk. 

I am loving...all the sweet words of encouragement I received on this post. This is a huge struggle for me right now and I loved reading your sweet words. 

What are you loving this Wednesday?

Tasha

Greenbrier Classic

A couple of weekends ago I went up to West Virginia with my Nana and Poppy to the Greenbrier Hotel to watch the Greenbrier Classic. I had contemplated not going because the day before I found out I was having my gallbladder surgery the following Tuesday. The only picture I took at the golf tournament was of Phil Mickelson putting.

After several hours in the sun and following the golfers around, we decided to take the shuttle up to the hotel to look around. This place is stunning, absolutely beautiful.

The decor inside is bright and so colorful. We walked around the lobby, through the shops and into the casino.

The Greenbrier houses an underground bunker that the President used to use when the country was under attack. The bunker is no longer used but is now open to the public.

For dinner we drove to Sam Snead's Tavern. The food was wonderful. The restaurant is located in the town of Hot Springs, VA. This little town is tiny and nestled in the mountains. The town is famous for the hot steam that comes up through holes in the road.

On the way home we stopped to snap pictures at a few overlooks.

Tasha

In God's Hands...

 Sometime my heart hurts. Sometimes I feel lonely. 

I pray for a husband. 

Not just any husband, I pray for a loving, caring, Godly man. 

I pray that he loves me with all of his heart and puts me first, after God. 

I pray that he is handsome and has a wonderful personality. 

I pray that he makes me laugh hysterically and smile constantly. 

I pray that he loves spending time with me but needs time to himself, too. 

I pray that he is a hard worker.

I pray that when he sees me walk down the aisle toward him, he smiles uncontrollably. 

I pray that he wants lots of little feet running around. 

I pray that he wants to be a father as badly as I want to be a mother.

 I pray that his family will mean everything to him.

I pray that we will spend our weekends at ball fields and dance recitals. 

I pray that we will spend our summers at the beach, running in the sand.

I pray that we raise our children together and work hard to have a strong family.

I pray that one day we will be proud grandparents. 

I pray that when we get old, we sit on our back porch in rocking chairs, together. 

I don't just want a husband, I want a partner. I want someone to hold my hand and a shoulder to cry on. I want someone who I feel safe with. 

Lately, my heart has been heavy because I feel like this is never going to happen to me. I feel like this are happening to everyone I know, except for me. I feel like time is passing me by.

I have decided to put this all in God's hands. I do not know my future, He does. He has a plan for me that I do not know of. 

Why is so hard to let go and tell God to take control?

All quotes via Pinterest

I am going to work on patience and work on trusting God with this journey of my life.

Do you feel this way? Do you find it hard to trust God? Am I the only who feels like their life is not going as planned?

Tasha

DIY Cute Earring Holder

I am still very limited on my mobility so I have spent several hours (days!) on Pinterest. I came across an adorable earring holder and knew that I had to make one. Luckily, I had an old picture frame that was perfect size for the project. 

I used acrylic craft paint and a foam brush.

I added several coats of paint and then went over with a darker brown paint to give a distressed look.

I cut six pieces of floral wire at the same length, then twisted them around to form one large wire. I am using this for longer, chandelier earrings, so I used only four tiers.

I stapled the wire to the picture frame and then twisted the excess around. I stretched it to the other side, very tightly, and stapled that side.

The finished project! I just love it! I have several more things to fill it up with but by this point I was worn out and needed to rest.

I got the idea from here:

Shabby Chic Dangly Earring Display

I hope you make a beautiful earring holder, too!

Tasha

A visit from Kingston (an overload of unbelievably adorable pictures)

Yesterday, Kingston came over for a visit to check on his Auntie Tasha. I am amazed everyday at how much he is growing and developing. I just want to freeze him and keep him this little for a few years.

I cannot believe that he will be two months old in 9 days. Where did the time go? 

Mommy laid him down and the floor and I just started snapping pictures of his many different faces.

 Grinning at Aunt Tasha!

Mommy and Kingston

Love that face!

A DIY project: Cute Earring Holder coming up!

Tasha