~Doe, a deer, a female deer~

Well 2 weeks ago on a Friday night, Cliff and I had plans for a date that night. Anyhow he called me on his way home from a job around 2 and said Meat just called and wants to know if I would like to go hunting across the street from us at that land. So I was like SURE!!! But only if you bring me home some meat! So anyhow after work that evening I went home and cleaned the house, started laundry, etc. I chit chatted with 3 of my girlfriends too, Shandi and Amy. Well I started thinking to myself, its pushing 7:30 and Cliff still isn't home and he told me that he would be home right after dark... Right about then there came Meat and Cliff pulling up with a 200 lb. doe. WOOHOO! Merry Christmas VETTA AND CLIFFY! Here's a pic of the doe.

My baby Cutter is growing up..

I was sitting here at work today, bored, and was looking through some pics and couldn't believe how big my little beagle is now.. Just seems like yesterday I came home to an escaped dog and the entire house was covered in toilet paper. Boy was I a little upset then, but now I just sit back and laugh. Even though my carpet isn't the cleanest, I still love my little Cutter!!! He has totally brough lots of laughter and smiles to both Cliff and I. WE LOVE YOU CUTTER! Here are a few pictures I found from last year I thought I would share. And the Christmas pics here are actually from Christmas 2007.

This Christmas...

This year we decided to take the giving a little lighter and in all especially the way the economy is currently... Cliff and I began with we weren't getting each other a thing, but going in together and getting a treadmill to help us both. Well we are still going with the treadmill idea, though we have both gotten each other things along the way. I decided if I didn't love my husband so much I wouldn't have done so, but I would truly miss the look on his face if I did get him a few things to open on Christmas morning.

Right now Cliff and I are trying to think of a tradition to start for our family. Seems simple, but we are having a few blocks in the road. I thought to open one present and get a new Christmas book each year and Cliff's idea was to buy a new ornament for our tree. Both great ideas we just can't decide is that is the TRADITON we want to carry on with one another.

We spent a day shopping together and it was lovely, though all the people did get on our nerves. We have one more gift to buy and it is a gift card, so quite easy!!!

More than anything I am blessed about the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ. These days Christmas has been taken out and replaced with holidays and I think the main focus is to put Christ back into Christmas.

The church we have been attending and enjoy very much so, Central Fellowship, is having a Christmas prodcution on December 21, called "Christmas at Our Place." We are truly looking forward to this and hoping there is a huge turnout also. Monty, the preacher and his wife, Tamara, are great leaders in our community. We have enjoyed getting to know them and hopefully soon becoming a part of their church family at Central Fellowship. Please keep us in your prayers as God leads us toward finding the perfect fit for our church home!!!

http://www.centralfellowship.com/

Christmas Decor

My Favorite Christmas Song

Christmas Questionaire

1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree? BOTH... But on a budget this year so the fake pinecone was suites Cliff and I well!

2. Favorite Ornament? Wow.. Thats hard.. I absolutely love the meaning being the "Santa's Key" ornament that mom bought for me from Weir's.. If you are over, take a minute and read it. :)

3. Favorite Christmas Song? O' Holy Night - that goes for both Cliff and I
4. Favorite Tradition? Christmas story on Christmas Eve

5. Favorite gift ever received? My real lifesize dollhouse in the backyard when I was a child, with the country blue paint and a front porch!!!
6. Favorite Christmas meal? Turkey and Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Mashed potatoes, rolls, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce from scratch, and cherry cheesecake
7. Favorite place to be? Anywhere with my husband and my mama

8. Favorite Christmas cookie? Lets go with FUDGE!!!

9. Favorite memory? Where do I begin??? I have so many fabulous Christmas memories! I just love all the time spent with family and friends!

10. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation or a Christmas Story

Thanksgiving Vacation ~ Gobble, Gobble!

What a BUSY, BUSY week it was for Cliff and I who both enjoyed 9 days of vacation and each other. Each day was fun-filled for the two of us.

Cliff and I found a gun range near us in Justin that we visited last weekend. Quite exciting.. Cliff wanted to go and site in his 30-06 for his hunting adventure on Wednesday. Anyhow while there Cliff let me shoot both the 30-06 and the 308. It was the coolest feeling shooting something so powerful! Cliff was quite impressed too!

Sunday we visited Cliff's parents to show them our new car and for the fact Cliff hadn't seen the 'rents in quite some time. Hamburger lunch, the Cowboys won and good family time!

The beginning of the week Cliff and I kept moving non-stop. Cliff met my OB/GYN for the first time. Had the annual so dragged Cliff along. We then met my mom for lunch at the wonderful San Miguel's in McKinney. Then off to Solitaire's in Plano to have my jewelry appraised. Tuesday I stayed home and decorated the house very Christmasy and Cliff went hunting with a work buddy. Cliff and Meat didn't see a thing, but more than anything gave Cliff an idea of the lease that he hopes to get on in April. Plus its a steal to get on a lease near by for $1500. Wednesday I cleaned my car really good to take to my dad to sale. Also the Thanksgiving cooking began and Cliff decorated the outside of the house.

Turkey day!!! Yum, yum! Of course Cliff and I both ate way too much. But everything you can imagine was there... Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce from scratch, creamed corn casserole, armadillo eggs, deviled eggs, rolls, etc.. And not to leave out pecan pie, pumpkin pie and apple pie!!! And to end the day... THE COWBOYS WON and my man Jason Witten was playing some ball!!!

Friday was shopping!! And taking Cowboy, my moms inherited puppy, to the vet. He got bit 4 times by a BIG black lab that her neighbor was babysitting. The lab jumped the fence and hurt my little Cowboy. He is doing fine and recovering well. That evening Cliff and I headed over to Texas Stadium for the Denison High School playoff football game. It was cold, but it gave us the opportunity to see Texas Stadium one last time too. Denison didn't win in the end, but it was a good time.

Cliff and I spend the rest of the weekend vegging out and resting. I ended up with an upper respitory infection and felt kind of puny.. But the rest helped... We ended by putting together a gingerbread house.. Got a little creative in doing so; however, we both discovered one of our hidden talents is not cake decorating or gingerbread creations.

Hope everyone had a Wonderful Turkey day and know that Cliff and I are very thankful for each of you being a part of our lives!!!

Cliff and I on our way to the Denison playoff football game

Helping Cliffy string the lights on the outside of our house

Cheesing with my new Limited Expedition

*****NOVEMBER UPDATES*****

Well it seems like it was just Canton weekend and here it is the weekend before Thanksgiving. Lots and lots to update, so here goes.

Cliff's 26th birthday was on November 12 which was mid week this year. Two days before Cliff informed me he would be headed to Calvin, Oklahoma for work on Thursday.. So ofcourse, we all know me and yes.. I got antsy. So instead of Cliff getting his present from me and then leaving I gave to him on Monday night. HE GOT A NINTENDO WII, GAMES, HARDWARE!!!! I wasn't too involved with the playing the first night, however, the second night Cliff allowed some play time for me. I got to fish, bowls and compete in several boxing rounds. Let me just tell you.. I got into the 6 boxing matches so much that for the next 2 days my abs were SORE, yes SORE!! Crazy.. I'm a believer in the WII for getting kiddo's up and moving now.

Wednesday night, Cliffs birthday, we headed down to Fort Worth and went to Saltgrass for Cliffy's birthday. One of his favorite restaurants and what man doesn't deserve a good steak dinner for his birthday!?!?!

Thursday came and it was a sad day for me in all. I always get a little down with him leaving but I knew it would be quick and painless, other than being alone and I dislike being alone. I think I spent too much time alone as an only child or something. WHO KNOWS...

The weekend was here and lots and lots of festivities for me in store. Friday night I hung out with one of my very good friends Holly! We had a great time catching up since it had been quite some time.

Saturday I met Carla (my sister n law), Hilari (Carla's good friend) and Hilari's 2 girls (Jayden and Amaya) at ElChico for lunch. We then made a few quick stops for Grandma Jean's birthday present and then headed to the birthday party for Grandma Jean Davis. It was her 75th birthday and her children planned a surprise party for her... This was taken place at Jean's new church there in Denison, TX. Lots and lots of family and friends showed up from all over. Roni, Tawana and Sherri did a WONDERFUL job of all the planning and time put into the party. And by the way Sherri knows how to make some "incredible" shower punch!!! There were several flower arrangements on the tables and they were pretty too!!! I'm a sucker for fresh flowers!!!

SHERRI AND CRYSTAL GIVING THOSE DRILL TEAM SMILES

GRAND-KIDS AND SPOUSES WITH GRANDMA JEAN

JEAN AND HER KIDS AND SPOUSES

GRANDMA JEAN AND NICOLE POSING PRETTY

SHERRI, JEAN AND KENNY

GRANDMA AND HER BEAUTIFUL CAKE

CAKE DISPLAY

CRYSTAL AND THE SIGN SHE MADE

After the party we hung out at Rick and Roni's for a short time. Rick actually fixed my back passenger light that had burned out.. It amazes me that Cliff's light burned out and his truck is 3 years old and my car that is 6 years old is still burning fine.. Roni also gave me one of the flower arrangement that she had made and it was filled with roses, carnations and greenery.

Sunday I spend the day with my wonderful mom... We had a day that was perfect to me. We shopped a little, ate lunch at ElFenix and she allowed me to go to Sam's to stock up on a few household items Cliff and I needed. Lots and lots of laughter occured and as always its nice to spend the day with a mom that I love so very much.

Suprisingly Cliff was able to come home on Monday!!!!

PRE Birthday Weekend

Cliff's 26Th birthday celebration began this weekend... He was quite the lucky guy. Saturday my dad came over to celebrate both Cliff's birthday early and my birthday late. It was a nice visit since there were lots of changes for him to see. We loaded up and went to Ft. Worth and ate at Shady Oak's BBQ. If you have never visited.. YOU NEED TOO!! It's delicious for a sit down BBQ place. For my birthday I received a Brighton choker necklace and 17 charms and several spacers for my new necklace. Each charm represents something about me! I will post pictures, but the piece is so me! I love it!! Cliff got a gift card to Academy and also one to Cabela's. On our way back from lunch we drove around Decatur and found this old, interesting place. At one time it was the home of a very, wealthy person. Now an estate that is not allowed to be stepped on. It is called the Waggoner Estate. Beautiful and would make a great museum too. Saturday evening we joined Joe and Lilly next door and watched Tech stomp on OSU.. Pretty much a given that Tech won but enjoyed the time with our neighbors. We cooked out on the grill and Joe make chicken and pork loins. I cut up 2 huge potatoes and created a 3 cheese masterpiece from one of Cliff's grilling cookbooks!

Sunday was a very uplifting service at church. A young girl (age 23) liver is failing and only has a few hours to live. Her name is Christina. She has a young boy almost 2. He is being adopted by a church family who has tried and tried to have a child of their own. Bittersweet story overall. But I thought I would share with everyone. Shows each and everyone of us to live for today ALWAYS!!!

We spend the afternoon in Lewisville. Thought along the way my car was going to give us some problems but we made it! We stopped by Hallmark, one so that I could get Cliff a birthday card and two, a card for Grandma Davis. Cliff and I had fun looking at all the new Christmas figurines and such. I love that Cliff can enjoy Hallmark as much as I can too! We then headed to Academy!! Cliff was in HEAVEN! He had $150 to spend in 1 hour and the count was on. He found the Magellan hunting boots that his heart had desired. Tried those on and they were a future purchase. Cliff also decided to get a tree harness since he is hunting in a tree stand and though the safety would be a good idea. He also found a turkey bottle opener. It make different turkey calls and Cutter absolutely loved it.. And last but not least Cliff shared his birthday gift card with Cutter and got him a Buffalo toy with not just 1 but 5 squeakers!!!

That evening we met my mom in Denton at Master Grill. Identical to Tejas de Brazil in my opinion but WONDERFUL food!!! We had good conversation, lots of food and Cliff got some more birthday! He received some shotgun lights and a Armadillo Jalapeno Cooker from my mom. He can't wait to use both! Our birthday dessert arrived and not only did we both get Key Lime Pie, but also a Caramel cheesecake and triple chocolate cake.. They accidentally brought us both. So we took the 2ND two home for later. Mom informed me that the key lime pie tasted almost like the one from the Crow's Nest in the Cayman Islands which was always a huge hit...

The weekend is over and time to go back to the grind.. :)

Pics to come!!! Along with hopefully some soon from my DAY at the spa with my mom on my birthday!!!

The Finished Product

Well... The time has come and we are FINALLY finished with our fence!!! YAH!!!! Suprisingly enough it takes lots of $$$$ to finish the section we had left.. However, we put the garage sale money in with a little savings and poof, we were able to buy supplies!!!

The project began last Tuesday... Rick (Cliff's dad) came over... The old fence was taken down, hole digging began with post diggers and posts were set with concrete. Doesn't sound like much but just imagine digging holes in rock hard ground.. YAH TOUGH!!! I was a blessing to have Rick there to help one day and get that far along.

Wednesday began early.. I took off the rest of the week and decided I was going to help Cliff. We got all the runners complete and yes I actually carried every single one down for Cliff. Those babies are HEAVY!!!

Thursday all pickets were nailed in and I even nailed every picket from our bathroom to the front. Quite fun to operate a tool like that! I was so sore from carrying all the pickets too. Cliff would have done it the easy was and loaded them on a wheel barrel, but I decided to just carry. Gloves came in handy after a few splinters. Yes the blonde appears again in me!

Here are some pictures of the final product, along with the many picutes of Cutter get tangled in the cords every few seconds. What a stinker!

~Canton Weekend~

What a gorgeous weekend (and a tad hot on Saturday) for Canton shopping. Cliff, Roni (my mother n law) and mom all met in Canton on Saturday for a weekend in Canton. Talk about crowded... It definately was that and quite not for November 1st. But we had a great day of shopping and looking. Mom and I even got lost from Cliff and Roni towards the end of the day on Saturday. So note to self in the future have walkie talkies avalilabe when cell phones don't work. Again what would we do without our cell phones?!?!?!

We stayed the night right by the Mountain at Long Hollow Hotel. Cliff was a little leary of the place driving up but I informed him it could be too bad with all the ritzy women that stayed there 12 weekends out of the year.. We were staying in the Timberwild room.. Decked out in animal print, lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants none the less. I will say it was clean and the shower was nice and hot. We actually stayed in the room for dinner and ate a turkey sandwich from the fixings Roni brought with her. It was delicious and hit the spot after a day of walking and in the sun. We decided to go ahead and hit the mountain before the Texas vs. Tech game. It was so pretty walking around with everything lit up with strings of lights, live musics and basically walking in a mountain. We made it back to the room for the disappointing game, but it was nice to kick back too.

Sunday came quick and we found a few more good deals we couldn't resist! Cliff and I negotiatied with the iron man for 4 pieces which we were both excited about. We got a Christmas tree, Large rustic cross, horny toad and armadillo!! Woo-hoo!!! Roni hit the jackpot when she found a purple martin bird house for Bobby and Darlene.. Especially considering they are so hard to buy for.. The weekend extravaganza came to an end around noon. Cliff and I actually went back to the AC marketplace and met my mom since she really couldn't leave b/c of a house showing in Greenville at 4:00. So we had lunch at the Trolley Cafe and then hit 20 to come on home.

I found several great vendors and am going to share!!!

www.msquarejunk.blogspot.com

www.dreamscometruedecor.com

www.letteryourlegacy.com

Cutter scare

Well last week started off pretty rough.. I came home for lunch on Monday at 2:30 and Cutter didn't greet me at the garage, nor did he come to the back door. So what else was I to do than PANIC.. I called Cliff crying and upset. So I called the vet ASAP. She told me no appointments were available until the next day. So I sat there and thought a minute and was on a mission to find Cutter some help that day. I knew the emergency fee was an additional $40.00 that I didn't feel I needed to pay. So I called my personal vet back and was informed that they could get me in that day when I said I would be making an appointment else where, where I would be able to get him in that day. X-Rays were taken, bloodwork and nothing. To this day we still do not know what was going on with Cutter, but $254.00 later I am thankful to having my booty wiggling bundle of joy back home!!!

Weekend Ups and Downs

Friday night at 5:00 was very rewarding to me this week. I had an extremely busy and exausting week at work; a lady I work with was on vacation in Colorado. Anyhow on a normal week during this time of year the normal document load for me is around 150... needless to say this week was a little over 500. BUSY!! So Friday evening I was extremely tired and that last thing I wanted to do was cook dinner. Cliff and i decided to head to Frilly's for some catfish.. YUMMY!!!

Saturday came early. I left to head to Prosper to meet my mom to head down to Waxahachie for Texas Reporters 3rd annual festival. What an experience. We arrive and park and then are told we have to move our car because there is a football game later in the day. We then wait for the bus and come to find out there is only ONE bus running the entire day.. So we wait for an hour chatting to others in line with us.. The festival was enjoyable and actually got one Christmas present under my sleeve. :) The wait to go back was also right at one hour but it was nice for mom and I to catch up By the time we arrived back to Prosper mom and I were both exausted and I decided to go ahead and head home to Prosper.

Around 10:15 Cutter had been acting very lethargic and was shaking. The shaking would not stop and I became concerned and Cliff soon did too. We actually called out vet at 10:45 pm and she informed Cliff of what we should look for. We checked to make sure he wasn't dehydrated - NO... We then took his temperature which read 101.9.. CHECK.. At that point we decided to go to bed and would keep a close eye on Cutter through the night. Well Cliff fell asleep and Cutter got restless again. So I went and let him outside. I then figured out by closely watching from inside that it looked like he was constipated.. Well i decided to leave him outside just in case. I set my first alarm for 2:00 am... The time came and nothing.. He was sleeping. So i went back to bed. Around 4:00 - 5:00 Cliff woke me up and i could hear Cutter whining outside our bedroom window. So Cliff being the kind one that he is, went to let him in. After opening the door Cutter came bouncing in and actually ran to grab one of his toys to play.. All we can say is business must have occured and Cutter was in relief!!!

Today we went to church.. Came home cooked chicken on the grill for lunch.. Watched the Cowboys beat the Bucaneers.. I then began a major cleaning spell.. Boy did i accomplish quite a bit.. I love the freshness of a clean house.. And nothing beats crawling in to a bed with fresh, crisp sheets. AHHHHH... Well then Cliff left for Jacksboro to go study for an exam he has tomorrow morning.

So he's gone about 30 minutes and I'm cleaning away.. Cutter appears and he runs to the backdoor.. So I let him out as normal. We not too soon afterwards I hear him barking agressively at something in the back corner of the fence. Too my surprise it is a snake. Not sure what kind, but about 2 feet and black. So i call Cliff. He decides he will turn around and come home. He wants to kill it himself.. He gets home and there is no snake.. Well low and behold he comes back! Cliff grabs his 22 and runs back there. Tries 2 times.. He thinks he got his body but the snake disappeared.. So hopefully he went to snake heaven in the near future!!! Cutter saved the day again!!!

Bedroom door slamming.... It's still a mystery

Well my first encounter with the Decatur police department was bright and early this morning about 7:59am.. I was blow drying my hair and all of a sudden the bedroom door slammed and I knew the Air Conditioner was off along with all windows were closed in the house.. I obviously being the girl that I am freaked out and called Cliff for help. He told me to grab his gun and just walk through the house. So I opened the bedroom door and started turning on lights everywhere. Saw nothing but I wasn't going down the hall by the guest bedrooms.. So i ran and let Cutter in and he was just hyper. So I let it go. To my surprise I got back to my phone and Cliff had tried to call me several times and he texted me that he had called the cops for me.. So they showed up and did an extensive search and found nothing.. Still not sure what caused the door to SLAM but it did.. We are fine and hopefully I have come to the conclusion that the cold weather "somehow" caused this occurrence...

My neighbor Lily informed me that it was quite impressive to see 2 cops show up.. Block the street to thru traffic, and guns drawn.. But if nothing else I can say that this does prove to me that the Decatur police department is on top of things and will get to situations in a timely manner.

House projects over the last year..

Well the last year at Rodden Drive has definately kept Cliff and I busy on our time off... But we have enjoyed changing certain things and the updates we have made. We still have several things we are planning to do but here are some pictures of some completions... Enjoy!

2008 - Before the tile after the nasty carpet was pulled up

Pretty new tile
My mother n law Roni taking a break in the wheel barrell
Rick and Cliff building the fence

Side of house and our huge Black Walnut Tree - 2007

Cliff building the new fence.. It looks great - 2007

Our yard looking better and house Summer 2007

Top layer i added and the Austin Stone (2007)

Flower beds after removing 6 rose bushes, weeds and pebble rocks.. NO FUN!!! (2007)