I'm obsessed with Christmas

I know I know Thanksgiving hasn’t even come and gone, but I’m obsessed with Christmas.  I kind of feel bad for the lonely November holiday because by the time it gets here all I can think about it December 25!!!

I’ve been working from home these past two days in Alabama so NWH could be together more for the holiday, and yes I am listening to Christmas music as I work.  It may have something to do with the fact that I have two degrees in music, but listening to Christmas tunes is one of my most favorite things about this time of year!

Anyone feeling what I’m feeling???

Here’s one of my favorites! The simple piano and violins are just gorgeous not to mention to the beautiful message of the lyrics.  I hope you enjoy!!

I need flooring advice quick!!

NWH and I are down to business this weekend.  We came to South Mississippi to take care of some things for the house before the crazy holidays hit.  We’re having new floors put down; putting new hardware in the kitchen, inserting doorstops behind the doors, and the list goes on and on and on and on.

NWH were about to kill each other (or ourselves) yesterday.  It’s amazing the amount of stress that comes through just picking out and installing a knob!  We vowed to be better today and not panic about anything. 

We still haven’t decided what to do about the floors.  There was ceramic tile throughout the main living area and kitchen, but we had to take it up because it was cracking.  We’re either going to go with stamped concrete, or lay laminate wood or real hardwood.  I’ve heard so many things from so many people about all options, and I just can not decide!  What do ya’ll think?  I need flooring advice quick!!

(Stained Concrete)

(Laminate Floor)

(Real Hardwood)

P.S. Don't you worry though, we're taking some time for Southern style football tonight. YEY!  Going to get ready for the game now.  Talk to ya'll later ;)

that’s what vacay is all about right!

NWH and I just got back from a fabulous 5 day trip in the Bahamas!  It was my first ever cruise and I must admit...it was pretty wonderful.  It’s absolutely amazing to be hundreds of miles away from land and to be surrounded by nothing but the massive blue sea. 


We made a stop at Nassau which is breathtaking.  There we snorkeled in the coral reef (um, the water was quite FREEZING), walked around Atlantis, shopped in the straw market, and ate lunch at the famous Senior Frogs.  Then we headed to Freeport where we played on the sandy beach and in the crystal clear water. 


Of course we ate AND drank too much, but that’s what vacay is all about right!?  At least I got a little tan.  Maybe it’ll hide the extra 20 pounds I gained! 


P.S. The only negative...NWH and I still feel like we're rocking on the boat.  I'll let you know when that wears off. Hahahaha :)

I missed the wrath of the doctors.

So my new job…well new/old job is Personnel Director at a family dental practice. I started working for Family Dentistry my junior year of college and literally have worked every spot in the office since that first summer.

I started at check in and learned how to confirm patients and enter information into the computer system.  I then moved to check out and practiced my skills at financial coordinating, filing insurances, and providing financial agreements with patients.  My final years were spent assisting the office manager paying bills, handling marketing and public relationships, along with end of the month reports. 

Although I did so much in these years, I never was a full time employee (except for the summers) which means I missed the wrath of the doctors.

So today, one of the doctors called me into his office and began to explain all of this to me.  Yes, explain.  He pointed out that I always do I great job, but now that I am in management there may come a period in time when he’ll have to get onto me.  (Side note, he is THE doctor that everyone well…tries to avoid because he has a tendency to “get on to”). He then proceeded to say that when it does come time to chastise or correct me I should know that he’s not intentionally going to hurt my feelings. 

What does this mean….I’ve got my first real-life-full-time-chewing-out coming.  I am pretty sure he has it marked on the calendar for this week.  And I’m also pretty sure the 20 minute conversation was intended to prepare me for the glorious moment. 

I’ll keep ya’ll posted…say prayers for me!

and if NWH says it’s good…it HAS to be GOOD!

MIL and J-man are coming to see us today!  We are super excited.  We haven’t been together since the Fed Ex cup (remember MIL’s hilarious direction story, read here).   The only down side about their visit is…they are taking little chipper with them on Sunday to Tennessee. 

You see, NWH and I are going on a cruise!!  WHOO HOO!! We’re flying to Jacksonville early next Thursday morning and loading the boat on Friday for a glorious 5 day cruise in the Bahamas.  With me working in South Mississippi and NWH still putting in a million hours here, there is no other time for Chipper to get to his Gan-ma and Gan-paw. 

Anyway, MIL and I usually get all dolled up and have the boys to take us out somewhere for a nice evening, but we decided since our time is limited we’d rather just stay in and enjoy each other’s company curled up on the coach with a big glass of wine.

NWH volunteered my shrimp fettuccine for dinner which I cannot wait to cook for MIL and J-man!  You can only imagine how happy it makes me that NWH had faith in my cooking..hahahahaha.  (We’ve come a long way)!  Anyway…here’s the recipe…and if NWH says it’s good…it HAS to be GOOD!

Shrimp

3 Tablespoons Butter

2 ½ Tablespoons Oil

4 Garlic Cloves

1 lb. Peeled, Deveined, Uncooked Shrimp

1 ½ Teaspoon Salt

¼ Teaspoon Pepper

Directions:

Melt the butter and oil in a large cooking pain over medium-high heat, add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute (be careful  not to burn). 

Add the shrimp, salt and pepper, and sauté until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often.

This is the shrimp from Barefoot Contessa’s terrible Shrimp Scampi that tasted like pure lemon!  Of course there is no lemon here just awesome shrimp!!

Fettuccine

1 lb. Fettuccine

½ Cup Butter

1 Cup Heavy Cream

1 Cup Parmesan Cheese

½ Teaspoon salt

¼ Teaspoon pepper

1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Directions:

Cook the fettuccine in a pot of rapidly boiling salted water. Drain a colander reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add heavy cream, salt, pepper, and garlic, and bring to a boil. Cook until sauce has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Return the pasta to the pot it was cooked in, set over medium-high heat along with the reserved cooking liquid. Add the butter- cream mixture and Parmesan and toss to combine thoroughly.

This is very similar to Emerald’s Fettuccine with the exception of a few ingredients.

I hope you like it!!  Happy Saturday, everyone ;)

C—R—A—Z—Y!

My life has seriously been C—R—A—Z—Y!  Where do I even start to fill ya’ll in!!  For starters I am now living and working in South Mississippi while NWH is still in North Alabama (not exactly how you PLAN to spend the first year of marriage).  I just hope he doesn’t get too used to living without me!!

Despite the distance we are doing great! We are both working hard, saving money, and looking forward to our weekends together.   

I never heard from that education job, but my dentist office welcomed me back with opened arms and made me Personnel Director which I absolutely love!!  There is nothing like working with friends in an environment that you know like that back of your hand.  I get most of my work done by Thursdays and am able to have extra long 3 day weekends! (Who doesn’t love a four day week??)

I am living with friends who have so graciously let me into their home and am waiting on the bank to close on our new house!  We didn’t get that cute bungalow, but we did get a brand new (never been lived in) home for the same amount of money we would have spend on the 1950’s place!  The builder lost the home and it was foreclosed on so we struck an awesome deal.  I’m so excited.  I can’t wait to share pics with ya’ll.

 

So there’s a small update, I’m so sorry it has been so long. As soon as I get back into somewhat of a routine, I’ll be back!  I have kept up with most of you.  I just never have time to comment!  I hope that changes soon. Love ya’ll ;)