SCORE!

Yesterday, on my lunch break, I headed over to our local Goodwill and scored big time for the nursery. When I started this game I told myself that I didn't want to spend more than $200 for everything including the furniture. As of today it looks like I'll come in way under budget. Go me!

I can't tell you what I got yesterday until its all put together and pretty. Then I'll go through piece by piece and let you know just how little I spent.

I'm so very proud if myself. Money is super tight right now. Honestly we don't have enough to cover my maternity leave, but I still wanted to have a nice space once Gabbie gets here. I'm so glad I have the thrifty gene and I'm so very thankful for all those wonderful hand me downs. If it weren't for all our friends and family, we wouldn't have been able to make it.

So, The Man comes home tomorrow and we are working on the nursery all day Saturday. I'm hoping the majority of it will be done by the end of the weekend. I will let you know.

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Let the Nursery Preparation Commense

Now that Christmas is over, I can finally focus all my attension on the nursery and let me tell you, I'm EXCITED!!! I've been planning and collection stuff for months and now I get to put it all together. I hope it all turns out great in the end. There are several little projects that I'm working on. A baby quilt is first on the list. I have everything I need for it, just putting it together is the time consuming part. Next is the cutest stuffed hen from Anna Maria Horner's book Handmade Beginnings. It is the cutest thing. Then I've got a diaper stacker to make. I simply can't find one that I like and I sure don't want to spend a small fortune!!

Speaking of a fortune, why is it that all baby stuff is SO EXPENSIVE?? I just don't understand this!! I found a red gingham crib set on walmart.com for $54. It was only 3 pieces; a quilt, a fitted sheet, and the bumpers!! For over 50 bucks!!! I just don't understand. So, I've been to my ole' stand by, Goodwill, and I've found the majority of the things that I need for the nursery. And as soon as I get it somewhat put together, I will take some pictures and show you how inexpensive this nursery has been. Its gonna be so cute!! I'm so proud of myself for staying with a small budget!

As you can probably tell, I'm really excited about putting it all together. I hope that it looks as good in real life as it does in my head. I still have a couple more things to collect, but all in all everything in basically done. Just need a couple coats of paint and it will be done.

The Man is having a time fishing. Its so cold down there that they had to purchase space heaters to keep warm. Apparently the hotel doesn't have a great heating system. They aren't catching much fish either. I just hope he still has a good time. I'm starting to miss him; luckily he'll be home in Friday. I think I can hold out a couple more days. I have plenty to keep me busy.

I got two major things checked off my "Baby List" this week; pre-register at the hospital and find a pedatrician. Both were pretty easy, I have to say, and I shouldn't have procrastinated so long. But I'm glad its done, now I don't have to worry about anything, well at least the major things. There's not much more on the "Baby List", time has really flown by. I forgot to tell you about Gabbie's amazing Christmas present from my Grandfather. I knew he would be making her a toy chest but I didn't think it would be so soon. He completely surprised me Chrsitmas Day with this.



Needless to say I cried hysterically!!! I can't wait to get it in the nursery and filled. I just hope that it fits! Its a bit bigger than I thought it would be. Either way, I will make room!!

Well, I think I'll stop here. I'll be back soon to show you the progress on the nursery. Until then, Ya'll make it a good one!

Up Early

I don't know if it was the baby or the lack of another body in the bed but I was wide awake at 5 am. I got a surprise phone call last night around 7pm from my boss telling me we didn't have to come into the office this morning....Merry Christmas to Gladys!!! So I got up, put some more wood in the fire, and started the coffee. It was a great start to a long day ahead. I hope that my energy leaves stay up so I can get everything done that needs to be. I admit there is not much, but enough to keep my pregnant self busy all day. I think Mother may stop by and give me a hand, which would be a welcome relief. Either way, I will get everything done.

Looks like we may have a white Christmas. We are supposedly getting an inch to two inches tonight and tomorrow. That would be beautiful!! I just hope that it scares the hell out of the natives and they all stay at home. People around here just don't know how to drive period, let alone with white stuff on the ground. I'm trying to figure out what to cook for Christmas Breakfast. Skeeter, Mable's boyfriend, is a some what picky eater and I don't know what to make that doesn't have onions and peppers in it. I think I'll give Mabel a call here shortly and see if she can shine some light. It will be just the 3 of us in the morning so I definitely want to have something nice going on.

The Man headed to his roots yesterday morning. While he didn't want to leave his very pregnant wife alone, I know he was excited to see everyone. He was out late riding 4 wheelers at his aunts and tonight they have another big family gathering. I'm glad he is there, he needs to spend more time with his family, regardless if its over the phone or in person. I can't understand why he doesn't talk to them more. I understand that my family is VERY unique, but still. I couldn't go a week without checking in on everyone. I'm not expecting him to talk to them everyday like I do with my mother and sister, but at least once a week!! Its a battle we've been fighting since we moved to Tennessee and one that I don't see going anyway for a while, especially with Gabbie on the way. Unfortunately I can't force him to call, so its something his family is going to have to talk to him about.

I think the girls miss The Man already. They keep pacing by the door and looking out the windows. I hate to break it to them that he won't be home for a couple more days. Well, I think I've rambled enough. I need to get myself out of this chair and get to work. Merry Christmas!!!

Almost Time

It's almost Christmas time!!! I have to admit that I don't really have the Christmas spirit this year. I don't know if it's because I'm HUGE or if The Man won't be here but either way I'm just not feeling it this year. Regardless of my non-spirit, I still had some holiday baking to do. Unfortunately I was suffering from bad allergies and couldn't taste my wonderful creations. The Man willingly took this role for me ;) I have to admit that, when I was able to taste, all the cookies were amazing!! Here is a list of the cookies I made.

Chewy Molasses Spice

Iced Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies

Lime Meltaways

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Turtle Graham Bars

I also did a simple sugar cookie recipe and dyed part red and green to make the stripped ones. Aren't they yummy looking?! Its been hard not getting into them. I have to say that the Chocolate Gooey are awesome and I will be making more for my family.







While I was busy baking, The Man was finishing up his present for my grandmother. He decided to make her a big dream catcher out of grapevine. Isn't it amazing???!!! I told him he need to make us one for the house. All the feathers were found on our property too. I know she will love it.






Well thats about all for tonight. I have to get The Man packed for his trip and finish my present for Christmas. Until next time, Ya'll make it a good one!!

Thawing Out

We are finally warming up here in TN. 35 is much warmer than 17. Last week and the beginning of this week were so cold. It was quite difficult keeping the house warm...man did we go through the wood. It will be nice to have a couple of days at our usual temp for this time of year.

Have a huge to do list for this weekend and I'm praying that we get at least half of it done. Really there is so much to do. I've got to finish my Christmas gift and so does The Man. Then we have to get him ready for his 10 day trip to NC and FL. Next is baking a ton of cookies for his family, this is their Christmas gift. If I get all that done I'll be happy and everything else can wait till The Man is gone.

I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with myself while he's gone. Gonna be pretty boring around the house. Thank God I have the dogs. I've got the nursery to keep me busy and more of Gabbie laundry.

I'll leave you here. Hopefully I'll be posting some pics of cookies tomorrow. Until next time, Talk make it a good one.

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TGIF

So happy Friday is finally here. It's been a very long week. The weekend will hopefully be good, we have a lot to do since the weather will be above freezing. I'm also hoping to get some things done around the house. I truly wish I had vacation time so I could take a couple days off but no such luck. It would be nice though. Maybe when The Man leaves for Christmas....yea he goes fishing every Christmas with his dad and grandfather. They go down to Florida and fish for a couple days, but this will most likely be the last year, at least at Christmas time. He will be gone for about 10 days so I'll be left to my own devices. I pray that I get something productive done.

Been preparing more for Gabriella's arrival. I had my first breast feeding class this week and I have to admit that it was pretty interesting. I know, I'm a total nerd, but the human body never fails to amaze me, especially during pregnancy. I have another next Monday and am really excited about it. I've also started researching local pediatricians. I'm hoping to have some consulations set up in the next week or so. By the end of the month I should know when the c section will be and we can plan time off work. Needless to say the next several weeks are going to be busy, busy, busy. I pray that everything goes smoothly.

Until next time, Yall behave.

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Baby Shower Weekend

Yesterday we had our first baby shower! It was a blast!!! So good to see everyone, especially our old friends. We got a ton of stuff but are still missing some things that we need. Needless to say we will be making a trip to Babies R Us soon. The family in North Carolina is having our shower after the baby is born, so we will have to get the necessities before her grand arrival. There are pictures floating around somewhere, unfortunately I don't have them. But when I do I will make sure to post them.

In other news, its FREEZING here!!! Glad we have plenty of wood to keep us warm. I don't think the high is supposed to get over 35 the whole week. It will be a test of our heater, to say the least.

I'm getting into baking mode and have found several recipes for this years batch. Every year I send cookies to my family in North Carolina and I'm pulling out some new stuff for this year. My brother in law is especially found of them so I'm making sure he has his own little tin full!! I've been getting a grocery list ready and let me tell you, I think I've got to get 5 lbs of butter!!! I'll be starting on that next weekend; making the dough and freezing it for a week before I bake it and then send it to NC with The Man. Any of you planning on a baking extravaganza???

Not much else going on so I'll stop here. Until next time, Ya'll be good!!