Getting ready for Christmas

So we are finally starting to get our Christmas decorations up. It's been so nice to have everything out since this is our first Christmas in our own place. Last year at Christmas we were still at the in-laws house.

This our first tree of many! Brandon and I decorated it on Sunday. We put lights out on our balcony too put I don't have a good picture of that. Brandon LOVES doing the Christmas decorations maybe even a little more than I do. It just makes our place feel cozy and homey with all the Christmas stuff up. We LOVE Christmas time!

P.S. This is my 100th post! Yeah!

Thanksgiving Weekend

I had a WONDERFUL weekend with my family in town. Mostly we just spent quality time together. On Saturday (their last day here) we drove up to Sevierville and went to the "Christmas Place." It is seriously the biggest Christmas store EVER and it totally got us in the Christmas spirit! So much so, that everyone agreed to be in the picture above!

This is just part of the Christmas Village they had on display! Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas!

Me and my boys! I miss them already!

Me and my Dad with a beautiful view behind us. My dad just LOVED Tennessee! He loved how beautiful it is here. Maybe my family will move here someday *fingers crossed*

Dad & I next to the "Friendship Bell" in Oak Ridge.

Overall, we had a blast and I would have been happy if we just sat at home the whole time. I am just glad I got to see my family and they got to see our home and where we live. I hope I will be able to go home soon and see everyone that wasn't able to make it here.

So I am ready for more visitors anytime! Any takers?!

Fun on the Wii

Here are some videos of us playing the Wii. Boxing is was so fun but, man was it a workout! My arms were hurting afterward but maybe that just means I am out of shape! Yeah, that's probably it!

Thankful

I am thankful for....

My wonderful husband who is truly my best friend. He makes me laugh and smile. He works really hard to support our family and I know he would do anything for me.

My dad and my brother who were able to come visit me this thanksgiving. I am excited that they have finally been able to see where we live and I will be so sad when they have to leave but I am glad they are here now.

All my family back home in Las Vegas. I really wish they could have joined us for thanksgiving but I understand why they couldn't be here and I know they will always be there for me when ever I need them.

A job that I enjoy and that pays the bills. With the economy being the way it is, I am glad I have a realiable and steady job. Brandon's job is not always to secure so it is a good thing that we have my job.

The health of myself and my family. I try to remind myself that things could always be worse. Just when I think I have a problem I stop and think off all the people who are struggling with things like cancer and I am thankful that we still have our health.

My wonderful friends both new and old. Thanks for always being there and being a shoulder to cry on and someone to laugh with.

Now for some not so serious things...

Cable TV- for providing endless hours of entertainment

Internet- for having loads of info at my fingertips

Red Bull- cause sometimes I need a little pick me up to get me through the day

Delivery drivers- cause after a long day at work cooking is not always something I want to do

Appliances- washer/dryer, dishwasher, need I say more. They make things so simple

Milk and Cookies- comfort food :)

Oh and of course BLOGGING- great way to keep in touch with people I love so far away!

"BOLT"

Brandon and I went and saw "Bolt" this weekend! It was the CUTEST movie! It is right up there with "Finding Nemo" in my book. Of course we were the only losers there WITHOUT children but we didn't care. We love watching movies like this. A couple weekends ago we saw "Madagascar 2." That was cute too, but I liked the first one alot better.
The best thing about "Bolt" were the hamster named"Rhino" and the pigeons! SO FUNNY! I definetrly recommend it! It makes me want a puppy!

ONE WEEK TO GO!

I am so excited to report that my dad and brother will be coming to visit me in a week! It will be a little weird to be a hostess to my family. We have never had out of town guests at our apartment so our spare room will finally be put to good use. I am so excited to show them where we live and around Tennessee. It will be nice that they will be able to have a mental picture of where we live. Next Wednesday Brandon and I will be driving to Nashville (2 hour drive) to pick them up.
Why Nashville, you ask? Because it was seriously $300 cheaper each! So we figured the two hour drive was worth the $600 savings. The flight lands at 9:45 pm Nashville time (which is actually 10:45 pm Knoxville time and 7:45 pm Las Vegas time) Confusing I know! Anyway that will put us back home at like 3 am! So it is going to be a long day but I don't care at all! I am so excited!

SILLY

Here I am trying to take a picture of myself... and Brandon ruining the picture behind me!

Take two.... Brandon still being silly behind me.

Oh we have so much fun together! LOL

Happy Anniversary!

Can you believe it has been a year! We have officially been married for one year. November 2nd marked our one year anniversary. Time has flown by. We decided to just keep it simple and have a quiet date night together.

We had dinner at Connor's. It was delicious. Brandon had a steak (of course) and baked potatoe and I had the chicken pasta. My favorite thing about Connor's is their lobster and crab bisque. Mmmm!

This is us at the movie theater. We saw "Max Payne" and i actually liked it. It wasn't your typical anniversary movie but we had fun.

This past year has gone by so fast. Sometimes its hard to imagine how far we have come. We have known each other for over 6 years and when we first met I would never have guessed that I would be living in TN. It's amazing what we do for the people we love! I love my husband and I love our life in TN. Right now I could not picture ourselves being anywhere else!

Weekend in NASHVILLE

I know it has been sometime since my last post. Forgive me! I do have some interesting events to post about so bear wtih me. October 24th Brandon, his parents and myself drove up to Nashville, to see my sister-in-law Stephanie. I had never been to Nashville so I was pretty excited to go on a mini road trip. Here I am in Downtown Nashville in front of a replica of the parthenon. It was pretty cool to see it since I highly doubt I will ever go to Greece to see the real one. It was in this beautiful park in Downtown Nashville called Centennial Park. We took a walk through the park and had lunch at PF Changs! DELISH... can we say LETTUCE WRAPS! Mmmmm!
We went to a place called Arrington Vineyards in Nolansville, TN. It was about a 45 minute drive from Nashville. It is a Winery owned by Kix Brooks from Brooks & Dunn. It was pretty cool. I had never been to a winery before. We got to do a free wine tasting, again which I had never done. So after the wine tasting we bought a bottle of wine and had a picnic. It was beautiful!
This is Brandon and Stephanie by the grap vines. There were acres and acres of grape vines.
Here is Wayne and Debbie by the fire. Right after our picnic we went up to the patio and sat by the fire. Brandon and I with the gorgeous view of the vineyards behind us. It was beautiful and I hope we can do more stuff life this soon!

PRNICESS MIA

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

THE BOYS

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Welcome Home Debbie!

My mother in law came home yesterday! For those of you who didn't know, she was gone to Alabama for her job. Well after two long months she finally came home and we are glad to have her back!

Aunt Andrea and Uncle Brandon

My sister Fabby and her husband Abraham are having a baby! We could not be happier for them. We got a really cute card in the mail yesterday that delivered the news. It said "For a Wonderful Aunt and Uncle." I was a little perplexed because I had no idea who it could possibly be from. Brandon opened it and started to read. I looked over his shoulder and jumped ahead a bit. At the bottom of the card it said, "Congratulations to a great Aunt and Uncle. I can't wait to meet you in June 2009." And it was signed Baby Banda.

My jaw just dropped! I almost couldn't believe it so I called Fabby and she confirmed the news! They are going to be awesome parents and I can't wait to meet my niece or nephew!

Congratulations! We love you guys!

We've been "BOO-ed!"

The air is cool the season fall
Soon Halloween will come to all
The spooks are after things to do
In fact, a spook brought this to you
"BOO" is a shield from witching hour
Just hang it up and watch its power
On your front door is where it works
It wards off spooks and scary jerks
The treats that came with crypted note
Are yours to keep, enjoy them both
The power comes when friends like you
Will copy this and make it TWO
Then others here among our friends
Will give warm fuzzies that do not end
We'll all have smiles upon our faces
No one will know who "BOO"ed whose places
Just one short day to work your spell
Or a big ZAP will strike your tail
And don't forget a nifty treat,
Like something cute or something sweet
Please join fun, let's really hear it
And spread some "BOO"s and Halloween spirit

While hanging out at Brandon's parents house we were BOO-ed! The people in their neighborhood started this little game and they left candy on the door step with the challenge to BOO 3 other houses. We put the "BOO GHOST" on the front door so we wouldn't be BOO-ed again. So Brandon and I thought it would be fun to start it in our apartment complex. We BOO-ed 3 people in our building and hope that it catches on.

Start a BOO in your neighborhood! It can be really fun!

Makeover

#1

#2

#3

#4
So I recently found this website where you can upload your picture and try out new hair styles. SO COOL... I have always wanted bangs and after finding this website.... I am pretty sure bangs are not for me. So I played with some hair styles. Let me know what you think.

Check out this website.... http://www.taaz.com/

Things in 8!

8 Favortie TV Shows: (in no particular order)
1. Desperate Housewives
2. 90210 (both old and new)
3. Biggest Loser
4. Jon and Kate Plus 8
5. Everybody loves Raymond
6. Hole in the wall <--- so funny!
7. HGTV
8. Amazing Race

8 Favorite Restaurants: again, no particular order
1. Taco Bell
2. Wasabi
3. Macaroni Grill
4. TGI Fridays
5. Firehouse Subs
6. El Cantarito <--- Mexican place in Oak Ridge
7. Pizza Hut
8. McDonalds

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1. Cleaned like a mad woman!
2. Called my mom
3. Laundry
4. Watch football
5. Ate Papa Johns Pizza
6. Blogged
7. Payed bills
8. Went to work

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. Going home :(
2. having kids
3. one year anniversay
4. my family visiting
5. getting new car
6. getting a house someday
7. Fridays
8. Spending time with Brandon

8 Things I Love About FALL
1. Leaves changing colors
2. Thanksgiving
3. Nice weather
4. Halloween
5. Hoodies
6. Taking walks
7. Sunsets
8. Getting ready for Christmas

8 Things On My Wishlist:
1. Ride in a hot air balloon
2. lose weight
3. Vacation
4. Get my wedding pictures in an album (sorry Mom)
5. Finish decorating the house
6. Wish someone would come visit me!
7. Make-over
8. Move closer to my family

Anyone who would like to do this... Feel free!

Homesick

I have been feeling extremely homesick lately! I miss my family so much.
I just wish that I could go home for a weekend or something but plane tickets are SOOOO expensive. We are hoping to be able to go home for Christmas so we will see what happens. But first my family might be coming here for Thanksgiving so I am hoping that works out. I am just hoping my mom gets the time off from her job *fingers crossed*
I haven't felt this homesick in awhile. :(

Saving Money!

Did anyone else happen to catch Oprah yesterday? And was anyone else inspired to save money?! With the economy being so bad, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE! The "thriftiest family in America" was on the show. This woman cooks for a family of 5 at $4 a meal!
My favorite part was about coupons! I personally do not use coupons only because I am not used to using them and I usually forget, but after watching this I will be doing research!
http://www.couponmom.com <------- This website is all about coupons and the secrets about cutting your grocery bill in half! While on Oprah this woman went to the grocery store and got $127.00 of grocery's and after using her coupons she only paid $37.00!!!!
I was very impressed! So lets just say I will be making a bigger effort to do my research and get coupons before my trips to the grocery store.
I hope this is helpful to everyone! Happy Saving!

Rainy day

I just wanted to test out my new video camera.

Here is a video of a rainy day. I , personally love rainy days especially thunder and lightning. About 10 minutes after i took this video it was sunny again Go figure!

FUN STUFF

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Our deal

Brandon and I have made a deal! The deal is we are going to alternate making dinner. Tonight was Brandons turn and he made pork chops, pasta salad and sweet peas!
It was delish! So that means that tomorrow is my turn. Any ideas?

My Husband ... the Georgia Fan

If you can't tell my husband LOVES football. I would even say he prefers College football over the NFL. So between September and January Saturdays at our house are all FOOTBALL all the time! That's not always my favorite but I take Saturdays as "ME DAYS."

UPDATE

So I just wanted to update on my last two posts:

The body of Jennifer Hampton was found on Saturday in a nearby lake :( about a week after she disappeared. They have arrested two employees of the hotel where she was staying. They have not really revealed many details of what happend. I can't imagine what must have been running through her mind. This just goes to show that no one is safe. Horrible things happen to good people everyday. And it is so scary to think that something like this can happen in my community. Brandon passes the lake where she was found EVERYDAY on his way to work, that will just give you an idea of how CLOSE to home this has hit for me. Quite honestly when I first moved to TN I thought it was going to be ... wholesome. When I think of the South I think of people knowing their neighbors and southern hospitality and although there are people who are nice and friendly, there are always bad people out there and we can't forget that.

And as far as NTB... A day after I sent them the nasty email, the manager from the other Knoxville store called and asked if he could take a look at my car for me. He was very understanding and wanted to help. So I agreed to take my car to him on Sunday. Well I am happy to report that my car is fixed FINALLY! It turns out the strut plate was loose! (whatever that is) The funny thing is that the other location said that is what they thought it was but they said it looked fine to them. Go figure!
Now for a bit of a survey: Brandon thought that I should have given this guy a "tip" for helping me out. His argument, "He didn't have to call you and arrange to fix this but he did and that deserves a tip."
My argument: "Heck-no I already paid them $700. If anything they should tip me for the inconvenience."
My hubby tends to be overly nice an generous when it comes to things like this.
Who do you agree with?

MISSING

Jennifer Lee Hampton disappeared from a local hotel in Knoxville last friday night. I am a little freaked out by this because it has hit a little too close to home. They have said they have reason to believe that she has been a victim of foul play but that is all they have said. I wish I knew if there was some psycho path on the loose! It is just very scary to know that things like this happen everyday. People go missing all the time and sometimes it doesn't even make the news!

I would think stories like this would be priority but apparently that's not the case. I saw Dr Phil this week and they covered the Caylee Anthony story ( also SOOOO Sad) and they talked about how many children are missing and get little to no media coverage. It blows my mind that these are not top stories! I also get that there is other news that needs to be covered. Maybe they should have a missing persons TV network or something because these are stories we all need to be aware of. Something has got to give!

Customer is ALWAYS right

I HATE car trouble! I always feel like I am being taken advantage of! I recently had an experiance at a local car repair place and my car is in worse condition than when I started. That makes me so mad! Below is the complaint letter I just finished writing. Read on...

My experience at NTB was in Knoxville, TN at the West Town location. It all started with a routine oil change/tire rotation. After the "routine" work was completed my car did NOT drive smoothly. It vibrated ALOT, like it never had before.I called the NTB at West Town and they advised that I bring it back so they could take a look at it. At this visit (9/15/08), my husband was told that the struts would need to be replaced. We paid $753.00 to make this repair. The very next day I took my car back due to a noise coming from the left rear strut.It sounded as if something was very loose.I was told the bolt securing the strut was not the correct size and they would replace it correctly. One day later the same strut began to sound loose AGAIN! I took the car back for a THIRD time and was told they would order a new strut and replace the problem one. I took the car back and left it a few hours. I got about a block down the road and IT MADE THE SAME NOISE!!!

At this point I REFUSE to take my car to people who have proved they do not know what they are doing. I am completely dissatisfied with my experiance and I feel that taking my car back would only be doing more damage than good. I have been more than generous by taking my car back FOUR TIMES and giving them the oppurtunity to correct this problem. For all I know my car sat there for a few hours with nobody touching because I saw no improvement. I do NOT feel like my money was put to good use. I feel cheated and taken advantage of.

You can be certain that you have lost my business and I will be telling my friends and family about my experiance.

Andrea Lawson

I may not get a resolution for my problem from this company but at least I let them have it! And boy does it feel good!

Picture Tag!

Since I do not have children... this is Brandon at this very moment.
Me
My side of the closet.
Brandon's side of the closet.
Dream Vacation: Rome, Italy.
Fridge
My favorite place in the house... this chair is so comfortable.
Toilet
My favorite shoes... ANY FLIP FLOPS!

I tag.... Fabby! and double Tag Damaris!

Safari Park

Well a few weeks ago we drove up to nearby Morristown (1 hour drive) and went to a "safari park" that they have there. Well the only thing safari about it was the zebra's but it was still pretty cool. They gave us buckets of feed and we could feed the animals. It was a 4 mile long trail.
Ok so anyone who knows me knows how I was just OBSESSED with zebras. So it was pretty exciting that I got to feed and pet one!

I swear this goat looks like he is smiling!
My mother-in-law and I rode in the back of the truck. It was pretty cool cause the animals would come right up to us. Here is my mother-in-law feed an ostrich.