Check Out My Cousin's New Venture.

You guys remember when my cousin, Alice, got married in November in Dallas, right?

Sure you do.

It's the same weekend I got to meet Laura...(a.k.a. My Name is Boom).

It's all coming back to you now isn't it?

Alice put together a wonderful picture montage with music that played during the rehearsal dinner. But, her creativity didn't end there.

She also put together "Welcome to Dallas" goody bags for her guests, among other things.

After her wedding, she decided she wanted to continue doing these crafty projects for other brides (maybe even kid birthday parties)...and, thus her new venture came to life.

She even has an adorable website, detailing some of the projects she did for her wedding & would love to do for you...or someone you know who's getting married.

All you have to do is click here to visit Alice Monroe.

Even if you're not in the middle of planning a wedding, or shower, or birthday party, check her out anyway! At the very least, maybe you could add her site to your blog? For me? Please?

If you have any questions, you can find her contact information on her site. Or, you can always leave a comment here or e-mail me. I'll be sure to pass along your questions/comments!

So, go here now.

Advice Wanted: Hardwood Floors.

So, I think Matt & I have decided to tear out the tile in our entryway & put in hardwood flooring.

We're also going to paint over the yellow walls...(sorry, dad...I know you love that color).

We know we want a dark hardwood floor, but because our front door is so dark, we don't want the floor to be too dark, you know?

That's where you guys come in, my wonderful, kind, better-decorators-than-me bloggy friends.

I want to know what you think.

Here is the color of our door.

Here is a full picture of the door...yes, I know the picture looks dark, but hopefully you can get a good idea.

Now, here are our 3 choices of flooring. The picture kind of makes the middle one & the one of the right look lighter than I think they actually are. So try to imagine a little darker.

We'll call this one: Floor Choice #1. (I think this is the one on the left in the picture with all 3).

We'll call this one: Floor Choice #2. (I think this is the one on the right in the picture of all 3).

We'll call this one: Floor Choice #3. (By process of elimination, I think this is the one in the middle of the picture of all 3).

And, this is the current wall color. I am thinking I'd like to paint the walls a color in the red/pink family. Maybe mauve. But, maybe lighter than mauve?

The color can't be too dark because then it would blend in with the dark floor & dark door. I think the walls need to POP.

******

What do you think?

Decorating is not my speciality AT ALL. And, I am not ashamed to admit it.

So, help me. Puh-leez.

In the comment section, please tell me what color floor you like better (Choice #1, #2 or #3).

Also, please give me some paint color suggestions.

Once I get the paint color picked out, I can shop for artwork & things to put on the walls. And, I'm sure I'll need your help again, deciding what would look good where.

I appreciate your opinion!

Meeting Kassie.

I got to meet another bloggy friend this week!

Kassie & I live very close to each other, which we've known for a while, but just haven't actually met in person until last night.

We ate a yummy dinner at a local mexican grill.

Our conversation was very good. We talked about our husbands, college days, living in Arkansas, our pets, our families & babies.

We also discovered that my geography skills SUCK. (Ok, inside joke!).

I was SO nervous about meeting her, though. I was worried she wouldn't like how I talked or that she would think I was a big dork (which I am) or that she just flat out wouldn't like me.

It almost felt like a first date. Ha!

Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I think we hit it off very well. We had plenty to talk about; we laughed a lot; and, we definitely want to hang out again soon.

We MIGHT even include our husbands next time!

I am just SO THANKFUL at the friendships I have formed from blogging. When I started my blog, I never would have thought I would actually MEET some of you, in person.

From Kim, to Laura, to Chris & now Kassie, I just feel so fortunate to know such an awesome group of girls.

Interview Me..Er..Let Me Interview You.

So, my bloggy friend, Kassie, who I get to meet in person tomorrow night, answered a 5-question interview on her blog & as part of the game, we're supposed to ask her to interview us.

(If you want to...it's not required or anything, but it's fun...and, a different way to learn new things about each other).

And, of course, I asked her to interview me!

THE DIRECTIONS:

1. If you would like me to interview you, leave me a comment saying "Interview Me" & I will email you the questions (I pick the questions).

2. You update your blog with the answers to the questions.

3. You include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

4. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Okay, here we go.

1. What is your favorite thing about Matt?

Wow. Do I have to pick just one? I have so many. But, ok. I guess it's the feeling of HOME that he gives me. We don't even have to be in the same room...just knowing he's HERE with me is comfort. It's kind of like when you're really frustrated & nothing's going your way & you're about to lose it...AND THEN, you see that one person who you KNOW can make you feel better instantly & you just start crying because it's just a relief & so comforting just to SEE that person. That's what Matt is to me. He's my home, my best friend.

2. Tell us about the person from your childhood who most influenced who you are today.

Oh, let's see...It would have to be my aunt Lauretta (my mom's sister). Not only did she influence me when I was younger, she still does today. She is the most Godly person I know. She loves you no matter what; she judges no one; she doesn't push Christianity on a person...she simply gives you her opinion & then lets you decide for yourself. If there is such thing as a "perfect person", she's it. For reals.

3. I know you guys love to travel. If money and time off were no object, where would you go?

HMMMMMMM...where wouldn't we go? I would love to go to Paris (for the obvious reasons), Switzerland & back to our honeymoon spot: Paradise Island, Bahamas. But, this time, we'd rent the $200,000 a night suite that includes your own butler, driver & maid.

4. Who is your celebrity crush?

My celebrity crush is 100% most definitely KENNY CHESNEY! And, no, he is NOT gay, so don't even think it.

5. You are at Sonic during happy hour. What drink to you get?

What's funny about this question is that I LOVE Sonic milkshakes....but, you can't get those during happy hour. No fair.

We're On TV!

Matt & I were asked to tell our story about how we met (almost 11 years ago!) for a promo that our TV station was doing for Valentine's Day.

It's called the "Sweetest Love Story".

This promo played during commercial breaks, to get viewers to go to our website & tell their love story. The winner gets a Valentine's Day prize package. Of course, we couldn't enter or win since we work for the station, but that's okay!

If you live in Arkansas, you may have already seen it, but if not, take a look. I HATE my hair & I hate the stupid smile I give Matt when he's talking, but what can you do?

Anyway, enjoy.

Super Bowl 2009.

So, Matt decided about 3 weeks ago that he wanted us to host a Super Bowl Par-tay! I think he was thinking about 10 or 15 people.

But, um.

I invited about 30!

And, most everyone came!

Which just made it that much more fun. I got to see one of my best friends from college, whom I haven't seen in a few years.

I also got to meet one of the sweetest girls EVER...who I will write about a just a minute.

Anyway, back to party planning.

After I sent out the invitation (via Facebook), Matt told me he also wanted to grill hamburgers. He asked me how many I thought we'd need...10, 12, 15 perhaps?

Nope.

TWENTY-FIVE + a few extras just in case some of the "maybes" showed up.

Being the most wonderful husband that he is, he not only had our friends' appetites in mind, he also considered the weak economy & went to Hoggs Meat Market where he purchased 40 hamburger patties for the small price of $14.

We had hamburger patties coming out of our ears, people.

I think we're down to 10 now. And, with that whole bad economy thing, I will be taking a hamburger in my lunch for the next ten days. Whoa.

And, again on this economy thing...if you ever throw a Super Bowl party & you want to buy decorations, go to Party City the day before & it will all be marked down 80%.

I spent $20...when I would have spent $80.

I guess we had about 25 or 30 people...not all at once though. People came & went. But, a core 12 to 15 stayed through the whole game.

The spread. Isn't my table skirt so cute?



The griller.



The griller's back side. Like it!



"I smell hamburgers!"

"Oh, here they are!"



I set up a "kids station" in one of our spare bedrooms. I printed off coloring book pages & got some of my old scrapbook stickers & paper & markers & let the kiddos draw to their hearts content. This is Lindsey & Mary.



Our good friends from Sunday School....Chris & Emily.



This is Abby (and, Elmo).



This is Abby & her brother, Tyson (who is a Steelers fan).



This is Robyn (or "Y"), Abby (her daughter) & me ("I"). We met almost 10 years ago at Hendrix College. We have so many memories together! I haven't seen her in a few years, but we've kept in touch. I was super excited when she told me she, her husband & kids were coming to the party! It was so great to see her again! I love you, "Y"!!!!



Matt, me, Avie & Scooter.

Ok, folks. Me & Avie meeting was seriously God's work. Avie & Scooter lost their baby girl at 22 weeks, back in the late summer. Avie gave birth to her & she & Scooter & their families got to hold her & love on her before the angels took her to Heaven.

I work with Avie's sister in law, so I knew all about the pregnancy & then the loss. I asked Mallory how Avie was doing all the time. Because of my similar losses, I knew how how she was feeling. I kept telling Mallory that I wanted to talk to Avie...but, then the holidays started & passed & I never contacted her.

Until one day about 3 weeks ago. I pretty much had a breakdown after another friend told me she pregnant. I sent Avie a message over Facebook & thus our beautiful friendship began.

Avie & I totally understand each other. We know exactly how the other is feeling. And, it's SO comforting to know that I am not alone in this. And, neither is Avie. I just can't explain it.

It's just really awesome!

Ok, on to more pictures.



Here's Lauren. I think she only comes over to read my US Weekly's. (Just kidding!).



This is baby Emma.



About half of the people who were here. Sorry for the lighting issue.



Drew & Annette won the "door" prizes. We just drew names out of a hat!



And, here is Miss Maisy, sound asleep in Matt's chair after everyone left. After I took this picture, I covered her up with a blanket & she stayed that way until Matt put her to bed about an hour later.

*****

This picture is one I took today. She was just hanging out on the foot part of the chair. We thought she going to fall off. But, she didn't.