Jill Sharpe's Alabama

We spend Christmas Eve at my Grandparent's every year. We get there pretty early and spend the whole day. This year was WONDERFUL. I couldn't believe how great the weather was. It was sunny, crisp and cool. Welcome to Jill Sharpe's Alabama!

 Mama and Daddy - the BEST parents in all the world!

There was no shortage of presents. Check out Granddaddy's tree. The ornaments were a little sparse.

The kid who stole my heart 12 years ago.

Renee (sweetest Aunt ever!) and Abbie

James got a bike.

Matt and Paw Paw shooting the breeze. (That Alabama afghan has been on that loveseat for as long as I can remember.)

Hubs and my Bro -  not sure what they were doing with that basket.

You will 100% of the time find Granddaddy napping at least 3 times on any given Christmas Eve (actually on any given day).

And who doesn't do a little skeet and target shooting on Christmas Eve? Check out Mama Hen shooting the glock. Her Hubs, Mark had to hold her ears because it was so LOUD!

Marty & Casey

Have you ever seen a better homemade target?

My bro, me and Mama Hen - I think we're tough enuff. Doesn't everyone have raccoon pelts hanging on the front of their barn?

And the best part - Aunt Affie's Christmas getup. This year she paired a Christmas sweatshirt with a Christmas vest and a Christmas scarf. Well done, Aunt Affie. Well done.

I totally realize that I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'

I was having lunch with my Mama a couple of months ago and somehow we got to talking about the music on her IPOD. All of a sudden she said she had heard this song on the radio that she really wanted to download but she didn't know who sang it. And y'all, I just about busted a gut when she said the main words were "Take it to the Limit".

I said, "Mama, that's by The Eagles" and no lie, she didn't know who The Eagles were. Needless to say, I brought her the greatest hits CD the next day and now she can "take it to the limit"  to her heart's content.

And that would be reason #321 of why I love my Mama so much!

40 Years and Counting!

Guess what happened 40 years ago today.... yep, my parents got hitched. All the kids and grandkids descended on their house this afternoon after Church and celebrated. I'm so thankful to have two parents who love each other and have stayed together through thick and thin.

Check them out leaving for their honeymoon.

All I can say is that I truly hope my marriage will be as strong as theirs. I love you Mama & Daddy!

Good food, good shopping

Today we had a Christmas lunch with Jay's family at The Rucker Place in downtown Birmingham. Before last week, I had never even heard of it, but it was amazing. Apparently, a General Rucker had it built for his daughter for a wedding present. Her family lived there for about 50 years before it was sold to a Doctor who used it for his practice. The current owners bought it in 2002 and renovated it for events. You can read the full history here.

It was just beautiful and I'm pretty sure I had the best-looking date there!

We also braved Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart and Target. There is no doubt it's the last weekend before Christmas - the traffic was insane! Thankfully, I only have one more gift to get and I'll be done! I'm not gonna lie, shopping wears me out. It took me all of about 2 seconds to get my jammies on once we got home and now I feel snug-as-a-bug on the couch.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Bliss and Pain

This weekend was total bliss. I had nowhere to go, nothing to do and let me just tell you, it was beautiful to behold. Hubs had weekend coverage so he was M.I.A. during the day Saturday and Sunday. I lit cinnamon candles, turned on all my Christmas lights and read, and read and read as the wind actually howled outside. It was so cold going to Church - there were actually a few little snow flakes on my windshield!

I will say, I don't think I've ever been so glad to get home from Church. I wore a new sweater dress and it was the most uncomfortable thing ever. Well, the dress wasn't uncomfortable - it was what I had to wear UNDER the dress that was the problem. I think we all know that sweater dresses are very unforgiving and I have quite a few areas that need a lot of forgiveness! I thought I would be all smart and wear Spanx - OH.MY.WORD! I think next time I'll just let my stomach hang out. Oh dear, I don't need to do that either. I'll have to give that some more thought.

Just curious, what's the most uncomfortable thing you've worn?

They like me! They really like me!

Well, at least one blogger does! I know posts have been scarce around here lately and I've been seriously pondering whether I should "shut er' down". I've gone back and forth because let's face it - I really have NOTHING TO SAY!

And then this - an award from Miss Stacy over at Stacy's Snippets and Random Thoughts. I've been reading this chick's blog for a long time now and she's one of the few people who can make me laugh out loud. If she didn't live 1500+ miles away, I'm sure we would be fast friends and "thick as thieves". (I've been wanting to say that ever since Bravo replayed Carolyn saying it approximately 500,000 times.)

Apparently, I need to tell you 7 things you've never always wanted to know about me. Well Stacy, be careful what you wish for...

1. I'm becoming obsessed with tacky Christmas decorations. I'm not sure when it started but I can totally see myself in a few years becoming the old lady who leaves her blue lights up year round. No, I don't have any blue lights - yet.
2. After reading this and this, I think I've had PMS for about 2 years straight. I'm sure you don't think that's possible. Just trust me.
3. I bought a Middleton Doll at FAO Shwartz a couple of years ago when Hubs and I went to New York. I've always wanted one. I did the whole shebang: picked out my baby, sat in the chair and rocked it while the nurse went over the adoption papers as I promised I would take care of my "baby" for the rest of my days. I did all this while Hubs pretended he didn't know me.
4. I cut bangs a couple of weeks ago (yes, I did it myself) and can't seem to stop. I think they're about halfway up my forehead right now.
5. I've been known to waste huge amounts of time whenever I have a day off. Today may or may not be one of those days seeing as how it's 9:30, I'm still in my pajamas and I have a list a mile long of things I need to do.
6. Apparently I need 9+ hours of sleep to have a sunny disposition. I never get it which leads back to #2 on this list.
7. I may secretly wish I was cool enough to be in the CIA.

Thanks Stacy! Bless your heart for being a faithful reader.