Happy #1

Back in college, a friend of mine had a book called "1001 Things to be Happy About". It was nothing but a listing of hundreds of things or situations that made the author happy. So it inspried me back in the day to start a notebook listing the things and everyday occurances that made me happy. I'm not real sure where that notebook is.... I'm sure it's in some crate or box around here somewhere...

My roommate in college, Ashley (Forbes) Knox, was also so good about randomly getting someone a "happy" just to make their day or just to let someone know she was thinking about them.

So, I've decided to make like list of "Happies"... and I can't think of a better #1 than my handsome husband.

Windows Falling Open

One of my favorite things about Fall is being able to open the windows! There's something about sitting here on my couch with the windows open, the cool breeze coming in and football on the tv. It takes me home - to that comfy, life is good, I think I'll just take a nap feeling.

So yesterday was a big day for Matt and me. It was big for Matt because, well, it's Saturday in the Fall. They're all pretty big to him. I don't really get it, but he can watch any football game, no matter who it is... ALL day... ANY day... It was big for me because Auburn AND Alabama were on tv on the same day! That's not so easily come by up here in Louisville, you know.

So we decided to make a day of it. We went to the grocery store to get our goods for the day. However, I got a little sidetracked at the "Fall station" There were pumpkins and any type of funky looking squash you could think of! So, of course, I was like, these would be awesome in a little setup. So I rummaged through all the different squashes, trying to find the coolest, oddest looking ones... I had to concentrate on this... it took me a minute! So Matt left me and went on to continue with the grocery shopping.

Anywho... I enjoyed making my little decorative addition to the house... The fruit votive candle cutter thingy I got in my stocking at Christmas finally came in handy as well! Here's what I did:

So sometimes, Matt and I decide that we're in the mood to get cookin'! And yesterday was one of those days. We (well mostly Matt) created a feast! He made some of his grandmother's famous meatballs and tomato sauce from scratch for the world's most delicious meatball subs!

But the best had to be his stuffed mushrooms... holy.... moly.... Several months ago, Matt found a recipe for stuffed shrimp that is out of this world! It's become one of our favorite "special menus". And then the other day, a light bulb went off and we thought, "Let's take the shrimp stuffing, but put shrimp pieces in it and then use all of that to make stuffed mushrooms!" As Matt would say.... "Phenomenal."

Ladies, let me tell you... if you haven't ever gone to KraftFoods.com, you need to... right now. I love the recipes on there.. so simple and rarely have I ever had something bad! I've even subscribed to receive the Kraft Foods Magazine with recipes with all sorts of goodies. You should too - it's FREE! As a matter of fact, here's the link - http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/registration/contextualsignuplogin.aspx?registrationactivityid=1237

This is where I got the recipe for the Triple Layer Peanut Butter Brownies... yummo!!

Walk with my Granddaddy...

As you may or may not know, things have been a little stressful for my family lately. My Papa (dad's dad) had a stoke a couple weeks ago.

If there was one thing that we all saw while Papa was in the ICU, it was that he is one of the most loved men you've ever met. Nana had to keep a list of all of visitors who just stopped by to check in on him or called to get the latest update! We joked, but I don't think it was too far from the truth that every member of Dalraida Baptist Church, where he is a deacon, came by or called. Papa may not be a man of many words, but when he speaks, people listen. We spent hours in the waiting room with family, retelling stories we've all heard for year, yet still bring a smile to our face. Our camping trips with Nana and Papa were the highlights of mine and Brooke's (and Nana and Papa's) summers.

We're staying positive that he will get better - he has already shown good signs of improvement! There will be a long road ahead, but we are definitely counting our blessings that he is still with us!

This is one of my favorite pictures from our wedding... Papa sitting and just taking it all in, as always, beforehand.

This past Thursday, Sept 25th was the 24th anniversary of my Granddaddy's death (Mama's daddy). I have always had this marked on my calendar... not because we have any big ceremony, but just so I can make sure I take time to remember this great man. People may think that I shouldn't really remember him, since he passed away just before I turned 4, but I do. I may not have tons of specific memories.... well, other than making tents out of the bedspread and him running underneath me as he pushed me on the swing (I always thought I was going to fall off and land in the pool, even though now I know it was yards away). Maybe it's that I was named after him (David Hope "D.H") that I have this connection, I don't know, but I do know that I had a huge love for this man, even at such a young age.

When Matt and I got married, it broke my heart to think that this man I had loved so much was not there to stand by Grandmama's side, so I wanted in some way to honor his memory and make it feel as though he was right there with us. I asked Uncle Eddy (Mama's brother) to write an arrangement of "It is Well with My Soul" - one of his favorite hymns that was played at his funeral as well - for the cello and violin to play during our ceremony. It was absolutely beautiful! I also had an old hat of Granddaddy's - Auburn of course - that was about to fall apart it was so old. So, I asked Grandmama to do me a favor and cut it up, and sew Aubie into the inside of my dress for my something blue! I think Granddaddy would have gotten a kick out of that.

There's a great song that always makes me think of him and led me to write this blog when I heard it yesterday:

When I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.....

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy
and he'll match me step for step
and I'll tell him how I missed him
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.

So, that's my grandfathers... two of the greatest men to ever walk this planet.







Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Hockey Moms and Pit Bulls

Well, folks, it's official. The first time I saw Sarah Palin, I looked at my husband and I said two things:

1) I know who's going to play her on Saturday Night Live... she looks just like Tina Fay.

2) I bet her makeup is Mary Kay.

And, I was right... about both. It has been "confirmed" through the Mary Kay circles, that yes, Sarah Palin does wear Mary Kay. Gotta love that pit bull lipstick!

So, that leaves me with this to say -

If you're interested in giving Mary Kay a try, you should. I love these products and I love selling these awesome products. Let me know if you're interested in setting something up! Or you can check out my website at www.marykay.com/hopeallene!

Yes, I do love her...

I Feel Pretty

Dixie got groomed today and they put bows in her hair that matched her window seat at home! Just thought I would share....

Oh I come from Alabama...

Sometimes, I just miss Alabama so much. And sometimes, a video like this just takes me right back home.

If you have a few minutes, you must check out this video about my boy Calvin and what he done found. You won't regret it....

http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=4658351&version=1&locale=EN-US

No More Baseball!

And baseball season is officially over for us! The Louisville Bats lost today to the Durham Bulls in the first round of the playoffs... bless their hearts. That means two things for us right now:

1. We could have gone to New York for a trip
2. It's time to get focused and get in shape!

In honor of this, Matt and I ate out twice today. We have the Jason's Deli and Chili's bags sitting here next to us on the couches we have vegged out on all day since getting home from church... (which we still haven't really found the ONE yet, but that's another blog).

But starting tomorrow, we are going to actually put those Louisville Athletic Club memberships (that we've had since December) to use!

Here we come!

Gimmie Some

So, Dixie has a few tricks up her sleeve. However, Matt has taught her what he thinks is essential for his dog to know. He holds up the rock and says "Gimmie Some"... and she does...



I also found this description of Pekingese on Wikipedia today. I thought it fit our Dixie Belle to an absolute "T"! So I wanted to share with you so you can see why she is the Princess:

These dogs can be stubborn and jealous. They are childlike and can be opinionated at times. Do not expect this dog to come when it is called.

The Pekingese personality has been compared to a cat, although this isn't quite right. It simply doesn't realize that it is a dog and would not like to be treated as such. Where a cat can be trained, a Pekingese needs to be convinced that the training is beneficial to the dog and the owner.

The Pekingese is generally a one-person dog. They are loyal and tend to be very protective of their owner.

The Pekingese is a large dog in a small body. It expects to be respected and will not tolerate being treated otherwise.

A combination of regal dignity, intelligence, courageousness and self-importance make for a good natured, opinionated and affectionate companion to those who have earned its respect.

That my friends, is our daughter...

Wake up, America!

THIS is absolutely scary! You have got to watch this video that P Diddy... the genius I spoke of in my last blog... is sending out to his "fans". He goes on and on (very unintelligently I might add) about what a horrible choice McCain made with Sarah Palin as his VP choice. My favorite "reason" P Diddy gave to not have Sarah Palin - "There's not even no crackheads in Alaska, not even no black people... or crime..." Ok.... Thank you for your wisdom.

You've got to see that THIS is what the young people of America are seeing because THIS is the kind of people they look up to. This absolutely makes my blood boil. We've got to get America to THINK, THINK, THINK about this upcoming election - and PRAY even harder...

Copy and Paste this link below if you'd like to see it, but I warn you, the language is horrible...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thmueS0ngAs