My First Ornament Swap

This year I was really interested in joining in on an ornament swap and my sweet blogger/sister/friend - Ricci - helped me find one that was still open in November. I joined the swap via The Vintage Modern Wife 's blog. It took a litte while for me to find out who my partner was but when I did was I super pumped!!

Everyone meet - Jen T.! (You can follow her on twitter - @jennyburgo) We found each other on Twitter and I started learning more about her. She is from Rochester, NY and has dogs -- I knew we were a perfect match as partners for the swap! She got me one pre-made ornament and then made me two more and sent some chocolate kiss goodies with them! I love them and they go perfectly on my purple and teal peacock themed tree!

I also have had a jam packed weekend!! Thursday and Saturday our department worked with our Student Services partners to do some community service projects. Thursday we wrapped socks into packets for a local homeless shelter as well as made hygeine kits to donate to the shelters for the people that come there. Saturday we volunteered at the Special Olympics Youth Soccer Tournament. We had  a lot of our department at both events and it felt really good to give back through those projects instead of having a EOSS wide holiday party. At the Thursday event we had a little contest in which I got 2nd place. We created gold and maroon felt gingerbread people, decorated them, and then they were voted on by our co-workers. I won a ribbon and a little tin full of candy and goodies! I love being crafty so this was right up my alley.

Finally, the best thing I got to do this weekend was attend the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter's Holiday Brunch and Coffee. I have to say that this was a very festive event with all of my alumnae chapter sisters and there was amazing food and a wonderful time of fellowship. I could not have asked for a better weekend and am now the proud member of the fundraising committee for the Spring 2013 semester as well our our new team captain for the Climb to Conquer Cancer South Mountain climb in February. We need 10 members so if you are in the area and want to join our team, please let me know! You don't have to be a Sigma - you can be a friend, family member, man, woman, or even a phantom participant! I am excited about this event and even more excited to be the captain!!

The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma

Holiday Brunch and Coffee 12.8.12

 

I hope you all have an amazing week and I hope to get to blog a lot more often over the next few weeks.

 

I am interested in expanding and getting more exposure for my blog. Any suggestions?? Leave a comment!

Lately...

I received my Maven: Julep Nail box today and I am so excited!! I got three things of polish, a container of remover, and some cuticle oil and a free sample of pedi cream. I am really anxious to use all the colors (2 fall and 1 summer)! Check out My Maven icon on the side of my page and sign up today! It is so amazing -- like shoedazzle but for your nails!!

http://www.julep.com/

Today was my first day back at the gym in a few days and I can totally tell that I have missed a few sessions. I love my personal trainer, Amanda. She is so personable and welcoming . She definitely knows how to push me further in my workouts. If you live close to an LA Fitness -- Please check out their personal training options..it is totally worth it!!

https://www.lafitness.com/Pages/Default.aspx

Another thing that I have been working on is a wreath for my front door. I wanted to try a deco mesh wreath or a Christmas ball one but I changed my mind as I wandered through Michael's on Sunday afternoon and found all of their holiday picks on sale for 60% off. I couldn't believe all the good deals I got!! It turned out to be a great and successful trip. Hope you all like it! :)

Besides beauty products, crafting, and working out, I have been spending a lot of time on the phone with my family. If any of you are prayer partners - please say a quick prayer for my uncle (my mom's brother). He is a diabetic and went to the hospital on Sunday for pain in his feet. They admitted him and are removing his right leg from the knee down tomorrow because he has lost all circulation. He goes into surgery early in the morning and I want as many people praying as possible that it goes smoothely and that there are no complications. One reason I dislike living so far away -- not being able to be there tomorrow for him when he comes out of the operating room. Mom is going to call me in the morning and let me talk to him before he goes into surgery- which I am grateful for. So if you can, please say a prayer.

 

My uncle Bo and I in 1988

Waiting on birthday cake and ice cream together

One of my favorite shots of us

 

Until next time...

Bachelorettes and Broads

I haven't gotten to blog much this week so here is an update of what I've been doing...

 This weekend was my bestie -Rianne's- bachelorette party. I have to say that we had an absolute blast.

My bestie - Rianne and I

First - A little quick lingerie shower at the hotel after getting ready for our night out...Rianne, as I expected, got a few kinky items but several very practical items for her honeymoon! I hope that when I get married my friends are just as practical with their purchases! lol :)

Secondly - Pictures in the lobby before we jumped in our two black Escalades to head out for dinner...

Our beautiful group of party attendees

Next -- dinner at Mattito's Tex-Mex Grill was so yummy! Definitely a place I would want to eat and visit again. They have a great atmosphere, amazing drinks, and decent prices. I have to admit I was on a pretty strict budget for this little two day venture so I was relieved when I opened the menu and found lots of choices for under $10! Lots of laughs and jokes at dinner about really inappropriate things that I will not share on the blog...but if you are a female and have attended a bachelorette party before then you already know what I mean by that!

After dinner we headed to Station 4 -- this was an experience to say the least. We watched a drag show and had an amazing time - especially when Rianne and her mom, Perla were pulled onto the stage by one of the drag performers. After a very inappropriate dialouge they were let go and returned to our group. I have to admit that some of the men in the performances could have fooled me - I seriously thought two of them were really women!! I have only been to one other drag show before this one but I have to say that this bar was classy and upscale and it was a blast!

This is not a performer -- but he didn't mind posing for pics!

 

 

I am so glad that I got to attend Ri's party and visit with my 2nd mom, sister, and best friend for a quick minute. I am so ready to see them again in two weeks for the rehershal events and wedding. It will also be the weekend of my brother's graduation from college and I am extremely excited to see him walk and spend time with my family as well!!

 

Saturday lunch at Smashburger then shopping :)

 

 



 

More to come...

Post Thanksgiving Post

Well.... it's a Monday...

I am really glad to be back in Arizona in the sunshine and heat but also sad to be back and not close to my family. I really enjoyed my mini-vacation over the two day break I had for Thanksgiving. Even though my flight was delayed for 5 hours on Thanksgiving day and kept me from making to my own families lunch plans - I was able to visit with them, David's family and my brother a lot over the break and I have to say it was much needed.

Some of my family at Thanksgiving

On another note - I have been amazed at all of the deals going on online today for Christmas shopping. I am already done with my shopping since I started buying gifts in September. Sad, I know but I wanted to get done and have them all shipped home way before the holiday season started so they wouldn't get lost in transit and I could have them wrapped and delivered on time.

 Maven-Julep

I joined Julep-Maven today and I am really excited. I have noticed it on one of the blogs I follow and wanted to see what it was all about - Ricci @ A Beautiful Mess posted something about her intro box and I loved the color selections and products she showcased. I ordered mine today so I guess I will be able to write a product review really soon! If you want a blog to follow please check her out! She has an adorable puppy, a really awesome job, and always has something crafty going on. Ricci is one of my sorority sisters and one of my favorite blogs to read!!

http://www.riccialexis.com/

I have officially started my countdown to my Christmas break....

-- 25 days -- and counting...

So ready to spend the holidays with my family and it also means that it is almost time for David to move to Arizona! I absolutely cannot wait!

My final thanks...

I have so many things to be thankful for and three days does not even begin to do it justice, nor does the 30 days of November. I have been truly blessed throughout my life and am continually blessed more and more each and every day. After this post - I will be taking a short vacation from my blog in order to spend time with my family. So here they are - my final thoughts of thanks...

10. I am thankful for my health and the fact that I can afford health insurance. I know that may sound silly but I know plenty of people who do not have health insurance and can't even afford to go to the doctor when they are truly ill. This month alone I have gotten my teeth cleaned, went for wellness check up and got new glasses. I am so thankful to be healthy and able to afford the care I can be given through my local doctors.

11. I am thankful for my iPhone. This is crazy but I have had so many cell phones in the past and I am so content with my iPhone 4s. I can check my email, call/text my family, browse the web, update my blog, and browse social media sites all from this one device. I love that I can look up concert and game tickets on my phone as well so if I ever got a whim to go somewhere to a game I would access to the tickets available instantly. There are so many other things that I could say (technology wise) that I am thankful for, but having this phone has been such a blessing.

12. As my final thanks, I am going to repeat one that I wrote earlier in the week because it is so important to me. My family. I can not even begin to describe how blessed I am by my brother, Dianna, Bec, Pappaw, Poppa and Kathy, Dad, Mom and David. Plus all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides. These people make each and every day of my life more worthwhile and I miss them so much. With each passing day I get a little more homesick and then when it is almost unbearable, it's the week I have planned a visit so it never gets  that bad. I am so grateful for them and they have truly blessed and enriched my life. I love you all so much and you hold a place near and dear to my heart.

I hope that you all take a moment to think of what you are thankful for over this holiday season and just take a few minutes to say thanks to those who have made you who you are today.

What are you thankful for?


Happy Thanksgiving!

New specs :) I love them!

Some of my cousins on my Dad's side of the family

David and I at a wedding-- seems to be our place to go :)

Loads of Thanks...

Continuing my thanks for today...

7. I am thankful for my mentors while I attended SAU. Sandra Smith is the first because of her willingness to give me some leadership opportunities and stick me in Greek Life first so I could test the Student Activities waters out. Dean J Courson would be my next mentor in housing and I could not have asked for a better supervisor, mentor, or role model. He truly gave me the experience and internship of a lifetime and helped me see what my future would be like.

8. I am thankful for my 100% paid for car. I know it may sound silly but I am so grateful to not have that bill to pay and that I have a way to go. So many students and staff here don't drive and have to rely on others or share a vehicle with another family member or even take public transportation (which none of those are bad). I love being able to hop in the car and go and not have to wait on a other way. Almost gives me a sense of freedom.

9. I am also very thankful for my job. I have met amazing people, have awesome supervisors, got to see so many new things, and have learned so much and I've only been here a short time. I know working at ASU I will have more independent experience over any other person who has done the same job at another institution. I love housing work!

More thanks to come....

Still thankful....

Today I will be continuing my blog from yesterday. I am giving the next few days a dedication to things/people/etc. that I am thankful for. I will be posting two more of these after today then taking a break from blogging to enjoy my family while I am at home for a few short days.

5. I am so thankful for my education. I was blessed with a dad and grandfather that contributed heavily to my education financially. If it wasn't for their support in that manner, I don't know that I would have ever finished graduate school. I am also thankful for SAU - the university I attended for my bachelors degree and my master's program. I gained a lot of experience there as well as constructive feedback for my future careers. Without these things I would not have landed an amazing job after graduation.

6. I am also very thankful for modern technology. It keeps me in touch with my family, friends, and colleagues across the nation. I am also thankful to be blogging. It really helps me de-stress somedays and I am very proud of myself for not going off on a tangent yet!

7. Finally for today, I am thankful for my 2nd families. I had one through high school and another through college and I know that they may not be my blood relatives but they sure do treat me like one of their own. The Troquille's and the Herron's are some of my closest friends and make a point to include me in their families at every turn. I am so blessed to have some amazing people, like them, in my life.

One of my first 2nd family members...Abby

More thanks tomorrow...