2011-2012

It's only fair that I jump on the bandwagon! So many things have happened this year and I feel like I've left so much out. I've been so busy this year and for that reason I set my "goal" for 2012 to be the year of Simplicity!

Let's do a quick recap, shall we?
January- the hubs was offered a job in AR.
February- the hubs moved to AR.
March- we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary and I moved back to my parents. HAAAA! I just realized how terrible funny that sounds.
April- the hubs turned 30! I had about 7 inches of hair cut off!
May- I turned 27 another year older too!
June- Brad was working about 100 hours a week and we rarely saw each other.
July- pretty much the same as June! We celebrated Independence Day at his boss' house with several people.
August- Chloe started Kindergarten, Jenessa got married, and we got our first offer on our house!!! Woot woot!
September-We closed on the Hinkle House and I said farewell. I broke my tailbone and Brad and I went to a huge airshow in TN. Chloe turned six!
October- We had a family picnic at Tishomingo State Park. We left on Halloween for Fort Pierce, FL AND we found out that Brad had won 2nd place for a scholarship!
November- We spent 10 days in FL while Brad was in school. It was awkward actually "living" with each other again, but so nice! We found out that Brad would stay in AR through the winter rather than coming back to MS like we had planned.
December- We were in Las Vegas for 6 days for the NAAA Convention for Brad to receive his award {and check}. We did a few touristy things, but decided Vegas isn't really our style. Chloe had her first school program and she was the cutest Sugarplum Fairy! She also said her long part without messing up or getting all nervous and freaking out! :) We had six Christmas gatherings {Brad made 4}.

How did we end 2011? We ate at a pizza place, then went to a friends house where the guys watched football and the girls watched a movie. We were home before 1130 and Brad and Amos were both snoring at 12. I told myself "Happy New Year" and did a little fist pump. Yeah, at this rate, I'm not sure how boring we will be in another few years!

What's planned for 2012? Not sure! Ha! Brad will be in AR and I'll be in MS and we'll probably be this way for most of the year.

My goals for 2012? I will not have goals this year. I have a to-do list, though!
To-do for 2012:
1. Save more, spend less
2. Get rid of baggage {clothes, shoes, house things, etc}
3. Do something fun more often {I hardly had time for fun things in 2011 so I want to change that!}
4. Save for a new-to-me car
5. Simplify my life in general
6. Get organized again

I plan on keeping this blog up to date as well. I might not have much to talk about, but I still want to remember the small things :)

Jinny & Jack

A few weeks ago, we had an unexpected guest show up in our pasture....

We went out to visit with Jinny, our sweet, "pet" donkey...

 And found this cutie! Meet Jack :) My dad had called and told us we had a new baby donkey; we weren't certain Jinny was expecting until a few days before Jack was born.

  

Chloe's little hand

Jinny stayed pretty close for the first few days. Now I think she tries to get away from him!

Jack is now running around and acting silly. He's finally figured out how to work those long, skinny legs of his and it's pretty cute to watch!

Friday 15

I have absolutely no idea where to start with a catch up post. Things have been bananas lately! I'm going to post the first 15 thoughts that pop into my head. Bare with me... :)

1. We sold the house! I'm still sad and happy that I've only stalked it once.
2. We moved everything into a storage unit. I spent lots and lots of time researching and organizing. I can honestly say I know where 95% of things are. Plus they're packed away with dryer sheets {to keep bugs away}, wooden pallets {to keep things off the floor}, drop cloths {to keep the wood furniture protected}, plastic, mouse poison, moisture catcher thingys and lots of bug spray. I feel much better now.
3. I still haven't finished unpacking and organizing the apartment though. There are about 3 more tubs I need to work on. It doesn't help that Brad has moved in some of his hunting crap things already. 
4. I would have liked to finish the unpacking part, but I've been busy lately. Plus I can't sit in the floor to sort through things or sit on the couch and bend over digging in plastic tubs. 
5. My broken tail bone seems to be healing nicely. I'm very impatient though and want it to be done with... NOW. Combine that with the fact that I forget it's broken and then bad things happen. Long drives (over 30 minutes) are still not fun; neither is sitting at my desk at work. 
6. Brad and I went to an air show in Millington, TN a few weeks ago (pics to come soon) and had a good time. This was before I knew my tail bone was broken. I couldn't figure out why I was hurting SO badly. I was sitting in one of those folding chairs that you carry in a bag and I could barely move at the end of the show (almost 3 hour drive, 6 hour show and 3 hour drive home). I normally have a good tolerance for pain, but that was driving me crazy!!
7. The next week Brad went to another one in Halls, TN or somewhere around there. He took a ride in a cool plane (pics to come). I stayed home :)
8. Last weekend I drove to AR and met Brad at his workplace. We hopped in a plane and flew south to Inverness, MS for "Duster Doings". Basically this older ag pilot lets all of his ag pilot friends fly in and spend the day swapping stories and eating. It was an hour flight down and then a little more than an hour back {strong wind!} and so flippin' bumpy. It was my first flight in a 4 seater plane and my first flight to ride in the backseat {I don't even ride in the backseat of a car!!}. I didn't throw up, but I did come close on the flight back!
9. Brad is registered for a week long ag course in Ft. Pierce, Florida! Guess who will be taking a week vacation and going with him? Me! The room is booked and the rental car is booked and we're ready to go! Just a few more weeks... I'm going to miss Amos though!! I've never been away from him for this long before. Amos is a special needs dog so I'm worried about him, but I know my mom and dad will take good care of him!
10. Courtney {my sis} turned 29 and Chloe turned 6 last week. We partied Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday! I was party pooped out!
11. I have no idea what this weekend holds and that's ok... I have a few things in mind.
12. Monday is Columbus Day!! That means no work for me Monday!! Woot woot! I'm thrilled about this. Over the moon excited. I'm so ready for a day off.
13. My mom, sister, niece and I plan on shopping Monday. Lord help us! Chloe hates shopping, I'm crippled, mom's crippled and Courtney has a heart condition. Fun times! Ha! Court and Clo are going on a cruise soon so they're looking for cruise clothes. Chloe needs fall clothes. Mom is just going {although we might convince her to buy a thing or two}. I'm in desperate need of fall clothes. I have sweaters, plenty of sweaters, but nothing to wear in fallish weather.
14. Amos threw up four times this week. I have no idea why. He's such a sickly dog. He started chewing on his toy last night so I think he's finally feeling better.
15. I plan on posting pictures very soon! I have so many I need to upload and edit and hopefully I'll have time to do that soon.

Happy Friday!!!

"K" is for Kindergarten

Chloe started Kindergarten Thursday, August 4th, 2011. I didn't go stalk her; I didn't cry, but thougth I might. She was such a "big girl" and "shooed" her mom right out of the room. {Much different than when her mom was in school :)}

This is her first school project and it's Squiddy the Jellyfish. She named "her" and I made her. Sort of. They do a theme every year for the first day and this year was oceans. The day before school, we ALL {Mammy, Pappy, Momma, Aunt Cassie & Chloe} sat down at the table and tried to create Squiddy. We pretty much followed the rules and this is what we got...

 Pink curling ribbon, Saran Wrap, construction paper, buttons, freakishly moving eyes, tape, glue and some lack of patience later and Squiddy was born! :)

Note to self: update and enhance craft box immediately.

I have a feeling this was an "easy" one.

Friday Confessional

I confess...

that I haven't been doing so well with my eating habits this week.
that I am ready for the weekend.
that I am curious to see how tomorrow night goes {Jenessa's "Girls Night Out"}

I confess...

that I'm ready to be home, in my pajamas, and eating orange sherbet a healthy snack.
that Amos has been slightly neglected this week.
that my apartment has been slightly neglected this week. Definitely in need of a deeeeep cleaning.

I confess...

that no such "deeeeeep cleaning" will take place this weekend. Way too much to do!
that I'm behind on Big Brother, but I will catch up tonight... along with Suits {who else loves that show?}
that I'm already planning my next unhealthy meal! Some days a greasy burger and fries makes everything better. Get used to it!
that I've done some slight damage while shopping the last few weeks! :)

I confess...

that my "baby" will start Kindergarten next week and I might cry. When did she get old enough to start school??
that I might be late for work the day my niece starts Kindergarten. I will have to stalk her and take pictures, won't I??

And lastly, I confess that my frig looks like this...

What? You don't keep lumps of coal in your frig?

And newspapers? And coffee??

I Someone may or may not have accidentally turned the refrigerator completely off last week?!?! Apparently, coffee, charcoal, and coffee are rumored to absorb any nasty smells. We shall see!!

Random Thoughts

This week has been a whirlwind... I can't believe that tomorrow is Friday {normally the week just drags on and on, but not this week}. Instead of my What I'm Loving post or post about once certain thing, I thought I'd fill you in on the last few days all in one random post. Try to stay with me :)

My first chiropractor appt was Tuesday and it was Heaven. Should have gone sooner!

Found these little gems in a bin at Wal-Mart for 97 cents. They're so good! The next box will hang out in the frig for a while before I eat them though; I think they will be even better cold!



A fan similar to this helps Amos and me stay a little cooler at night. Couldn't live without it right now! It's July. In Mississippi!




Amos has had some nasty sores pop up and this stuff really helps!

 * I may or may not have *accidentally* turned off my frig at our house.
* It may or may not smell like a dead animal... in my house... it's nasty. Beyond nasty. Thank God for moms! Mine is going to clean that mess out!
* Amos is getting better at taking his vitamins and that really helps this mom out! You try forcing 3 big pills down a 190lb dog's mouth after he shuts his jaw- it's like steel!
* It's hot. Too hot. But I found this on the world wide web and now I will shut up:
“I was going to complain about how hot it is... then I realized: 1.) It isn't 109 degrees; 2.) I'm not 5,700 miles from home; 3.) I'm not dressed in a full BDU uniform & helmet and carrying 70+ lbs. of gear; and 4.) There is very little chance that anyone will shoot at me or that I might drive over a bomb in the road today! Thanks to all who serve!!”


* I must clarify that it is 109 degrees in MS, BUT you get the idea!! I'm sorry, I'm just one of those people that like to make sure things are explained. Fully.
* I'm going shopping this weekend with Kayla. I hope to find/buy a few things!
* Saturday night, a friend is having a 30th birthday party. Chad is the funniest guy you will ever meet. He has me in tears every time I see him {I cry every time I laugh}.
* The weight gain/loss thing is annoying me.
* Chloe starts school in two weeks. I am in awe. Yesterday she was still a tot in diapers running around with her mullet!
* I hope Brad gets to come in this weekend. 1) I want him to be able to go to Chad's b-day party. 2) I don't want to drive an hour to Jackson, TN, shop all day, then drive an hour home only to pack up and drive two hours to Nowhereville, AR. 3) Brad would rather come in town than stay in his tin-can.
* I've been helping my mom's church with VBS this week and I'm exhausted! We go straight home after work, change, then straight to church. If I keep going downhill, by Saturday morning I will need a swift kick to get out of bed!
* Amos still hasn't stopped shedding.
* I'm not liking the fact that Big Brother is already making me nervous! Hello! It's only week 2! I'm not happy with the fact that Jordan didn't put up Brendon and Rachel. That "red haired hyena" drives me nuts! That's Whitney's nickname for her :)
* Tomorrow is Friday!! I go back to the chiropractor! It's only 75% awkward. I know him. Knew him in high school. We were good friends. I used to pet his hair {true story, the boy has the softest hair!} and sit next to him on school trips. Oh, and we went to Prom together. I {the senior} took him {the junior} and it was fun. Anywho, awkward! But it was nice too.
* Want me to keep going? No? OK, fine, but I have a dozen more points I could use...
Happy Friday Eve!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Be sure to stop by and visit Jamie's blog to find out what everyone else is loving today!

I am loving the fact that two week from today, I will be headed to the Sunshine State. WOO to the HOO! :) 

 I'm loving these too! They hit the spot when you are looking for something sweet and chocolate!

 I'm all about some food these days {or so it seems on here?!}. I am a huge peanut butter fan and recently bought my first jar of Reese's peanut butter. It's very creamy and smooth and tastes great with marshmallow cream!

 I'm loving this little cute thing for Chloe. Cross your fingers I can find it in the store tonight when Kayla and I go shopping!

 This one is cute too! I'm not a huge fan of pink, but Chloe is so I'll look for this one too!

 I'm loving this sweet thing! He has a birthday coming up soon {June 19}!

 Last week was John Aaron's last day of school. His class put on a musical program so we went to watch. I'm loving my sweet grandmother, favorite boy cousin, John Aaron and little miss priss in the front. She and JA have become very close lately! He loves the roll as "big brother" and she loves the attention!

H is for ???

H is for Happy Birthday, Hair and another Happy Birthday!!
April 9, 2011 Brad turned the big 3-0!

This is how Brad felt about it... Ha! In his defense, I had just woken him up and he was headed to AR {coffee in hand}. Plus he didn't want to pose. Oh well! You only turn 30 once, right? Well, maybe if you're a man. Women get to be any age twice-- just keep reading!

This is what happened when I asked him to pose with me. I wish I would have gotten to prepare somewhat, but he was only willing to do one picture in the 40mph wind! I started not to post it {for obvious reasons}, but it's the only one I got and I will just have to deal with it. :)
Next up... April 28, 2011
I decided enough was enough and I had my hair CUT. Around 7 inches to be exact.
I should have tried to get a better "after" shot, but let's face it... I was busy and tired and just didn't feel like it! Ha! I did take pics of the back, but they didn't turn out well. First off, the lighting wasn't working and secondly, my mirror is small and high off the ground {I was on my tippy-toes taking this}.

Ta-da!
Monday, May 2, 2011 Brad and I celebrated my 27th birthday. It was a day early, but Brad had to go back to Arkansas. The only reason he isn't in this picture is because he was running late getting back from town and I was ready to put on my pjs and wash my face. I never claimed to be a girly girl!


Tuesday, May 3, 2011- I turned 27 {or as I like to call it, 26.2}

I came home to balloons on my "apartment". Oh, the windows on the left with the white blinds... that's my bedroom and the French doors lead to my living room. I promise to post pictures soon. I have a few things left on the ol' to-do list.
I can NOT get this picture to turn?! This was the end of the sidewalk leading from the driveway/apartment to Mom and Dad's.

Chloe ran to me when I got home and yelled "Happy Birthday Aunt Cassie!!! I spelled it wrong. I spelled your name wrong!!!" Ha! Bless it. S's are tough for everyone, right?! :)

We had pizza, cheese sticks and.....

Ice Cream Cake!!!

Again, with the sideways pics?!

Love the flower though...

You know there is a small child around when you use Sesame Street plates! :)

Mmmm....cookies and cream! I usually get the pralines and cream, but mom swapped it up this time and it was good! I'm on an Oreo kick lately. Chloe and I ate the green flower so we could turn our mouths/lips/tongue green.

I was spoiled again this year with gifts from family and friends. I really do have the best friends that are true friends. Glad everyone could help me celebrate turning 26.2!