Holidays and All It's Surprises!

I am DONE with finals and FREE for a whole MONTH!!! 

I am beyond excited!  Imagine my surprise yesterday on my very first day off of nothingness when I am cleaning the house and walk into the dining room to look up at our light fixture and see.....A BAT!!!

There he was the tiny brown bat, just napping away hanging from my cord cover on the chandelier...My shrieks of fear and running around the house like a mad woman grabbing shoes, keys, and the dog and evacuating did not phase him...

Once the health department arrived, there he still was "hanging around" on the cord cover sound asleep.  They removed him, are testing him for rabies (he's been euthanized), and then will inform me if we have to go through rabies vaccinations or not (oh, joy!).  Fingers crossed he was negative!!!

Then it was on to the "how the heck did he get in?" question.  This company came out (b/c our sucky bug guys don't handle bat issues) and said it would cost $1500 to "bat proof" the house?!?!?!  Do I look stupid or like I was born yesterday...DON'T THINK SO, HON!  I sent him packing and called who else, my daddy!

Hubby understood that this was an issue only daddy can handle!  Up he went to the roof to the chimney area, where low and behold, we had a hole which little bat went into and down the chimney, into the living room, and to his roost on the dining room chandelier. 

Whew...bat crisis averted thus far...Thanks of course to my Best-Super-Dad-Ever...Love you Superman Dad!

"Black Wednesday" Shopping

So mom and I decided that we were in no way venturing out on "Black Friday" this year, but that instead we would be having our own "Black Wednesday".  Well, it worked out great!  NO lines at Target and a pretty short one at Honey Baked Ham today!  I also got my Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte (my current obsession!) with NO other cars in line!  SCORE!!

Target has the cutest satin pajamas that I am obsessed with as well....I have three of the four prints, and let me tell you, nothing sleeps better than slippery soft satin PJs! ;)  The prints are super cute...blue polka dot, black and white cheetah leopard print, red, and purple. 

I also got successful finding hubby's Christmas present early this year!!  He is of course getting a special ornament, which he gets from me every year now.  The tradition started when that was all we could afford one Christmas, a special ornament from me to him that signified something important to us...Last year was a glass concrete mixer truck ornament (we have a concrete company, Oconee Concrete), and this year is pretty cute if I may say so myself...will post pics after Christmas!!

AND...they have electric razors on sale now at Target...so I snapped one of those up as well for hubby! :)

Happy Shopping and Happy Thanksgiving!

CPR/First Aid

This beautiful Saturday morning, I will be in a classroom.  That's right, a classroom, learning CPR/1st Aid...I am excited at the idea of learning to save a life, etc...but not for 6 hours in a classroom on a Saturday! :(

I also hate tests...I wonder if the CPR/1st Aid test is hard?  Goodness I hope not! 

Off to CPR class and hoping our sweet puppy gets to feeling better soon.  He has been so sick...He has a genetic skin disorder and allergies...We are awaiting the results of the allergy tests conducted on Wednesday and can't wait to start getting those injections so that he can start to heal and feel better...

Oconee 2010 Christmas Card

I have to share the fabulous new Christmas card that my husband's company, Oconee Concrete, is using this year.  One of the girls in the office, T.C. picked it out.  I have to say, it is the cutest thing I have ever seen!  :)

We are in the concrete business, nothing cute or girly about that, but this card is just precious! :)

Enjoy!

Wednesday Off!

Today I have the day off!  It is so excited and nice - a break from the otherwise hectic week of lesson plans, unit plans, school, etc...

I am going to do the following today:

• Make Chess Squares with my mom
• Take said yummy-gooey Chess Squares to little brother's school for bake sale (he's not so little anymore at 17!)
• Take Porter Pug to the vet at 3pm (he still has the icky skin issue - it is now turning big patches of his skin black and he looks pitiful!)
• Finish a lesson plan (due tomorrow, I know, I'm terrible!)
• Maybe cook dinner for the sweet hubby! :)
• Work on a parent resource notebook (Blah for having to travel around town finding helpful information!)
• Pray for this semester to be over with already!
• Stalk out any good deals online for cute shoes, sweaters (I'm loving big, bulky, and soft sweaters right now!), Lancome makeup (in MAJOR need of powder, lipstick, eyeshadow, etc), and the list could just go on and on!

I really would love to have a new ring for Christmas too...It's been on my wish list since the hubby and I got married in 2008...I want another band just like my wedding band to go on the other side of my engagement ring...Is that horrible and selfish of me?  I don't think so...I think hubby should see it as testament to his super-ring-picking abilities! ;)

Happy Hump Day!!!

Misc. Musings

• I am procrastinating...I have so much to do coming up in following weeks, and I am putting it all off...BIG TIME!
• It is chilly outside and I love it...and so does Porter Pug
• I love coffee, but I hate to make it...the hubby does a way better job anyhow!
• I am absolutely dying to go shopping at one of my fav boutiques...but I can't stand one of the people that works there, so I'm not going (I refuse to spend $$$ somewhere that thinks they can be rude/snarky to me!)
• I am hoping Georgia pulls out a win today against Auburn...and Alabama too when they play them...we are a house divided, but we always pull for the Dawgs and Tide!
• I want to highlight my hair but I'm terrified...I'm a hair-coloring-virgin!
• I am FREAKING OUT about student teaching coming up soon...I am taking my CPR class next Saturday (ALL DAY LONG! :( )...so I'm "ready" but not really ready!
• I am ready for Christmas and all that it brings - faith/religion, family, traditions, decorations, parties, helping others in need, shopping in Dawsonville w/ mom (Lancome here we come!), and so many other things I can even count them.
• I am super excited to give the hubby his extra special ornament I picked out for him this year...it has become a tradition...I find an extra special ornament for him and I give it to him Christmas morning...it started when we were broke as a joke, just married, and that was all I could afford to give him, and it's stuck! :)

Have a happy weekend to anyone who might read this! :)
Mrs. TLB

Do's for Good Conversation

 I saw these do's for a good southern conversation on a blog at Sweet Southern Prep and loved them!  I am borrowing them to post on here...I think they are all very true and great advice when out socializing! :)  I am glad I had the chance to brush up on a few of these useful tips!

 

Southern Do's for a Good Conversation

(Social Graces by Ann Platz and Susan Wales)

 

• Share the conversation. Let everyone take a turn.
• Keep the talk interesting and light.
• Never embarrass your hostess.
• Never ask what something costs.
• Never use rude or shocking language.
• Keep personal problems private, especially at another's expense.
• Be sincere with your compliments.
• Correct your spouse's etiquette, grammar, or behavior in private.
• Talk with the people on your left and on your right when dining.
• Be honest.
• Listen carefully.
• Be respectful.
• Learn to compromise.

 

Voting

So...It's fall y'all and it's time to VOTE!  I went and it was so quick, painless, and easy!  I hope everyone else out there is voting today.  In my opinion people do not have the right to complain about issues if they don't take the time to get out there and VOTE! :)

Nail Polish Colors for Fall

I have a recent obsession with finding really pretty nail polishes, but they must coordinate with the colors of the season!  For instance, during the summer it was all about "Bubble Bath", "Strawberry Margarita", and "Big Apple Red" all by OPI. 

Now that it's fall, the leaves are changing, and pumpkin lattes are on the radar...it's time for some pretty fall hues!  I am obsessed with some of the fall shades from Essie like "Playa del Platinum" which is a really pretty silvery/purple matte look on the nails and "Sew Psyched" which is a moss green color (sounds icky, but is fab on!)

 Sew Psyched - Essie

You Don't Know Jacques - OPI

...BUT my desired shade is "You Don't Know Jacques" by OPI and everywhere I look it's sold out...I may have to resort to Amazon ordering of this shade...

Does anyone out there in blogger land know some other great shades for fall that I don't?

St. Simons

We are back this week from a wonderful family trip with my husband's family to St. Simons Island, GA.  SO pretty there!  We had such a great time and such great weather nearly the entire time!  We got to play cards together, go on the casino boat together, lay by the pool, shop, eat yummy food, and get a little sunburn (yes, even with sunscreen - OUCH!).  Most important was family...I wish my family could have been there and then it would have been just perfect, but we did get to spend lots of QT with my husband's family who we don't get to see all that much...

Hubby, Me, Alan, Meredith, and Mr. Phil on the Casino Boat! :)

His aunt, uncle, sister, mom, dad, and cousins and their respective spouse/girlfriend all come and we pile into one house!  The house this year was great and was right around the corner from the beach and great friends that were also down for the week. 

The Hubby and Me @ Georgia Sea Grill - Such YUMMY food!

I had just one little problem...I missed Porter Pug soooo much!  We get home, and even though my sweet mama watched him for me, he had a reaction to something in the hayfield they live on.  He has sores allll over his little body!  So off to the vet we go this week!  He is on two antibiotics and benadryl! :(  Poor little Porter....but he is getting lots of love and extra special treatment while he re-coups this week!

We are back on a normal routine of work for the hubby and LOTS of school work for me...I don't have my placement yet for doing my hours this semester, but here is hoping I get a great school, teacher, and kids to observe/teach this semester!

One last beautiful view of the water...Till next year!

Happy Friday and Go Dawgs this weekend!

Surgery

My sweet hubby is going in for surgery on Friday and I am so nervous.  The doctor says that it is nothing too major, but nevertheless...I hope that everyone is praying for him and that he is watched over and in good hands on Friday.

I feel so bad for him and I know he is nervous (but of course won't say so).  Here is praying that surgery goes well and that recovery is speedy and easy! :)

St. Francis here we come...

Porter Pug's First B-Day!

SOOO....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PORT!

Our sweet baby boy, Porter Pug, is turning 1 year old this Saturday!  We are going to my husband's hometown for a wedding this weekend, so he will get to spend it with his older "siblings", P.J. and Georgia!

I think he knows it's his special week due to all the extra special attention and treatment he's been getting lately from me and his daddy!  We are debating on what to get him...some extra special treats, a new bed, or a new outfit??? Decisions, decisions!

We did a trial run with the doggie ice cream, and he hates it!  One lick, and he was DONE with it~

Here is the latest pic of Port in his daddy's lap on a car ride...he LOVES to ride in the front so he can see out and feel all the AC! :)

Lilly Pulitzer Sale!!!

Just wanted to let anyone that may read this know...I have some fabulous Lilly dresses that I can't/don't wear for one reason or another I am trying to sell...I will take anywhere between $50-$99 OBO for each dress.  They are very gently worn and so super cute!  Contact me for additional pictures or if you have questions!  I only take PayPal! :)

Size 12 Shift Dress

Size 8 Strapless

Size 6 Halter Dress

Size 10 Halter Dress

And just for fun...a pic of me with the false lashes...They are so much FUN! :) It's kind of hard to see...but they are actually natural looking!

Cutest Pug Video!!!

I am stealing this...I saw this on someone's Blog, and it is just so cute, and reminds me of my pug, Porter! :)

Tory Burch Ballet Flats

I have a new obsession...Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats!  I have found that they are MUCH cheaper when purchased on e-bay!  I have my eye on a black pair with gold logo and pink with silver logo!

Here's hoping I win my bid on these fabulous shoes! :)

LOVE! :)

Clothing Sale

Morning!

Below are two dresses that I am selling...please leave me a note if interested in these pretty things!  I do accept only paypal...they are listed on e-bay under the seller name southernstyle411.

They have never been worn, but tags have been removed! :)

Black Chiffon Maxi Dress - Size Large - by Shalumi

Black Dress - Size Large - by Theme

Happy Monday!!! :)

Killing Trees...

OH. MY. GOODNESS~!~~~

we are having to do so much printing, reprinting, duplicating, and saving on extra files, etc in this one class that I am in right now that I have come to think of myself as a little environmentalist.  I feel horrible with each ream of paper that I run through making copies for this lady!~~~

Oh well...TOMORROW is the last day (goodness willing~!).

Say a prayer for me....

Things I Love

There are some things I am loving right now...each season seems to bring new things to love, and these are my most favorite summer time things...

1)  Family Time - specifically w/ my sweet hubby and pug

2)  Suntans

3)  Bronzer, Lancome Definicils, and Clinique Lipstick

4)  Suave Professionals Rosemary Mint Shampoo

5)  Pinot Noir (chilled) - Pinot Evil Pinot Noir is really good!

6)  The fact that this is my last week of summer school is also blissing me out right now...come on, Thursday!!! :)

Until then...

All Things Southern

So I have been thinking a lot lately...What exactly does it mean to be Southern?  I know people live here and adapt to the Southern lifestyle, but I also think there is something extra special ingrained in those of us who were born and bred here in the deep south! :)  These are some things that to me envision being Southern...

1.  Sweet Tea - You know...the home-made kind your grandmother taught your mother to make, and so on...no artificial sweeteners allowed!!!

2.  Cornbread and Greens...either alone or together (with a dash of some good ole' homemade pepper sauce!)

3.  College Football...The big three in our families are UGA, Alabama, and Florida! We are a split family between UGA and Alabama!

4.  Vera Bradley...I don't know a true Southern girl who hasn't owned a piece of Vera...usually for overnight stuff life duffel bags, etc...

5.  Monogramming, Lace, and Hand-me-Downs...Sometimes it seems like all of this comes together, but each are beautiful all on their own, and you usually see @ least one of these things in a true Southern home.

6.  Manners and Hospitality - The thank-yous, yes, ma'am, yes, sir, etc that comes with every true Southerner's manners and learned hospitality...when was the last time you walked into a home in the deep south and weren't offered something to drink, eat, etc the MINUTE you walked in?! :)

7.  Lilly Pulitzer - I LOVE me some Lilly...I used to have quite a few pieces, and in the past few years I haven't purchased much, but I still love it and it still reminds me of the beach, warm summer nights, and happy, perky, party days! :)

8.  Family trips to the beach...there are so many pretty ones down here near Georgia like the Florida panhandle, and pretty Georgia beaches like where my husband's family goes, like SSI.

9.  Fireflies, cookouts, and cold drinks on the porch during the summer.

10.  FAMILY...it is everything here where we are from...family stays close, and we fight, but we always make up and would do anything for one another! :)

Grandma's

This week my husband lost his sweet grandma.  She had been really sick for quite some time, but still when someone passes you love, it is always hard no matter how prepared you are.

Grandma N. lived to 89 years old...I hope that I can one day say that as well.  It seems that the generation she was from lived long lives and accomplished such great things...they endured great things as well; take the Depression for example...we think the economic downfall we have had the last year or so has been bad...imagine what that generation went through!

I know P. will miss her and today was exceptionally hard because we were unable to go to the funeral due to work and school obligations that couldn't be helped.  We did get to attend the visitation last night and had to drive home. 

I honor of P.'s wonderful Grandma I wanted to put some of my best memories of my two Grandma's...

1) Picking blackberries at the farm in Mickey-Mouse t-shirts as a child with my G-mom.
2) Making homemade peanut butter cookies w/ my Nana.
3) Laying on the front of the boat in bikini's "sunbathing" with my G-mom.
4) Shopping trips for fabulous shoes with my G-mom.
5) Playing in the yard and garden with my Nana...without her I would probably be truly terrified of bugs (yes-more so than I am now!)
6) Going to Church with my Nana, Aunt V., M., and Mom and having so much fun giggling and listening to sermons.
7) My homemade stuffed rabbit and dolls my Nana made me...I hope one day I can sew half-way as good as she can.
8) Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter with both grandma's...they were always special in their own ways from the toys, food, laughter, and love you felt when you walked in their homes.
9) My Nana keeping me and my younger brother during the summers...we had such fun watching movies, TV, cooking, and playing card games (nope, I never won!)
10) Cookouts and swimming in my G-Mom's backyard while reading trash mags during middle/high school years...she was the BEST cook (other than my mom and Nana) and had the best stash of magazines!

Happy 4th!

Here is hoping that everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend! :)  We are going to my in-laws place this weekend and will have swimming, good food, family, and fishing!

I am so grateful for everything our troops do every single day to keep us safe...I hope we all can remember the real reason for the 4th and enjoy a safe and happy 4th of July! :)

Meanwhile, I have yet to pack anything for myself, Philip, or Porter!  I am going to see if I can find Porter a travel dog crate/bed that isn't so heavy to get into the car!  His metal crate weighs a TON!  This one from Target looks super cute...

 

Friendship

I thought this poem was wonderful and speaks so much about true friendships and all that you hope and pray for everyone, but most especially your true close friends!  I know I love mine and hope for them all the very best in life...

Send My Friend An Angel

by Corky Ferguson

Please send my friend an angel.

Send her one of mine;

A loving and caring one,

The best that you can find.

Please send my friend an angel,

And trust her with its care;

Someone or something for her to love,

And to always be there.

Please send my friend an angel,

One to help her fill her days;

With hope, love, and laughter,

And the warmth of sunshine rays.

Please send my friend an angel -

You know she gave me one of mine.

Please send her down an angel;

A true friend's hard to find.

One Kings Lane

Okay...So I stumbled on another GREAT shopping place, One Kings Lane...I'm only sad I stumbled upon it after the Lilly stuff was sold out! :( But just go here for some great sales!! :) Happy Hump Day!!!share

Summer Time Sweetness

So the summer is almost over for me as far as school goes...but otherwise it's still full steam ahead!

The downstairs is being painted tomorrow where the leak in the wall was so it should smell like "new house" some time tomorrow afternoon...

Porter has discovered that he is a master bird hunter and brings dead, mutilated birds to the back door and is just so proud I don't have the heart to scold him...totally disgusting little Pug that he is!

Fourth of July is here upon us this weekend and besides being grateful to our founding fathers and troops all around the world, it's also on the 3rd my father-in-law and grandfather's birthdays...thus celebration time!

St. Simon's is also upon us this year...we haven't been able to go w/ the hubby's family for a good length of time (if at all) in about three years...but NOT THIS YEAR!!! We are coming!!!!! :)

The hubby's b-day is in August as well...and our Pug Porter, who will be 1 year old! :)

Lots of fun things happening in the next month or so...will post pics when all of these fun things happen! :)

Testing!

So we are testing ALOT in this class I just started...in fact we have one this afternoon from 3-5pm. I am NOT a good tester...let me write you a paper or an essay, and I can do that all day long happily...but please, please don't make be answer a multitude of multiple choice and true/false questions! :(

I am on here blogging as I am procrastinating getting my power points out to study! I have four chapters on which I need to be cramming before 2:30pm when I have to head to the college.

I am saying a selfish prayer that I can get through this test successfully w/ a B or C...I'm not even aiming for the A on this one!

Happy Weekend to everyone...I will be studying! :(

Water, Water, Everywhere!

Oh my...out basement has had it series of issues, and we have solved them all fixing them as needed as they have occurred. Our basement is not just any basement, it's a finished one that I think is rather pretty...painted concrete floors, flat screen TV, comfy leather sofas and dim lighting...my hubby's very own MAN CAVE! :)

However, it is also the only place that houses a walk-in closet...MY walk-in closet to be exact. You see...I have an addiction to clothes that I just can't seem to kick; clothes, shoes, pocketbooks...You get the picture!

Well, we had a water line bust in the wall last night and it proceeded to spew water allllll over the room alllll night long. I only discovered it this morning when letting the dog out. Thank goodness for our wonderful plumber, Mr. C. Without him, not sure what we would do! The insurance man came, and we had to move all of the stuff outside to dry out. My clothes and all are fine, but I'm bummed that some of my favorite books are soggy and wet.

Say a little prayer that everything stays dry for awhile at the Bivins household :)

The Gym Blues

We are trying to go to the gym on a regular basis...but it just doesn't always happen. We ate pizza tonight, and I have a new book on my audio book app on my ipod - therefore I have the motivation and want to get on the treadmill so I can listen to my new book...the hubby on the other hand...now so much! :(

We are also having a hard time with our puppy, Port. He wants to go into the yard and eat, roll, and play with cat poop from the neighborhood cats that choose to do their dirty business in OUR backyard! Why, oh why, our backyard!!! Is there something you can do to deter cats???

Now off to bathe the dog for the 1,000th time this week...BUT before I do...I am not obsessed with "Pretty Little Liars"...it is actually not a bad show and beats all the other stuff on TV during the summer....other than "True Blood" that is!!! :)

I also have a TONNNN of stuff due in school by next Tuesday and am slightly overwhelmed...it helps me to write/type that down instead of thinking it to myself...I stress over school stuff so much that by the time I sit down to get it all accomplished, I have worked myself into a complete tizzy...Hopefully I can learn how to manage this...I need to get on the treadmill and do yoga and drink herbal tea and all the other stuff that is supposed to calm nerves!

Summer Time Happenings

Summer Time Is Finally Here...Along with the HEAT!!!

Porter playing in the sprinklers...

Summer is finally here along with some intense heat here in Georgia! Philip and I like to walk in the evenings now, but WOW it's hot when doing so...and we can't take Porter with us anymore because he just gets too hot with his sweet little squished nose and all! :)

I am super busy in school right now, as I took four classes this summer. I am almost done with my third one, but the fourth one is just getting started. I WANT a break...not need, but WANT! I would love to feel the sand in my toes and the smell of the ocean...it would be DIVINE!

This is the one quick weekend trip we took...by the POOL...ahhh...

Philip is super busy at work as well...S my little brother is working with him some this summer and we are so proud of him...earning his own spending moolah! He has a new girlfriend, S. wo we just all LOVE!



Port is adjusting to the family just fine and will turn 1 year old in two months right after the hubby turns 34! :)


We have been busy working, schooling, cleaning, yard-working, dog-walking, friend-seeing, etc lately and are excited to slow down and spend time with family this weekend for fathers day and my mom's BIRTHDAY!!!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and FATHER'S DAY! :)

The Great Desk Hunt

We have had the hardest time trying to find a new computer desk for our downstairs office area. Philip and I have scoured every single place in Columbus and online you could think to look for a new desk. All of them are either too cheap and icky looking, expensive and too big, or have thousands of parts and are hard to put together...

Case in point, we find one we think will work at Office Max and purchase it. We get it loaded up, home and down to the basement (in the rain nevertheless!). The desk had probably hundreds of pieces and NO DIRECTIONS! Oye...

So after attempting to put it together and watch the football games on TV, we gave up, put it back in the box and promptly returned it to Office Max! They were very nice, but didn't seem to care/mind that we were returning it...but that's okay, because I am hopeful that we will find an even better one that is just right for our house...

And on that note that is hopefully on the agenda for this week along with settling into new classes, praying that the rain stops, and getting all the other to-do's off the list!

Happy new week to everyone!

Big Things!

Our Little Family-Philip, Porter, and Me! :)

Philip and Porter

Mom and Puddin

Me and Porter

WOW!!!!


So it has been forever and a day since I have been on here and blogged...and I'll tell you what, it's nice to write and update on everything, whether or not anyone reads it! :) Sooo...We are still living in Columbus, we are still in the same house, yet it feels like so much has changed!


Oconee Concrete is doing great and now has TWO plants, one in Box Springs and one in Phenix City. Philip is a busy bee and really happy, which makes me happy! Also, I am still in school full time, now at Columbus State University. I love it and I am super happy and super in love with my new major, Special Education! I pray every day that I'll be a great teacher one day, and I'm making strides to make sure that happens!


Anywho...We also have sad news that still has my heart heavy...we lost our sweet baby, Pepper, this past October to Prostate Cancer...However, Philip is so sweet and went and got mom and I both new puppies. We now have new family members, Porter Bivins and Puddin Kite.



We have also had to do a lot of work around the house which has kept us busy and made our Holiday season go by really quickly and ours was SO beyond blessed by the way! :) Hope yours was too..



I am also trying to figure out how to "bling" my blog or whatever...its a lot harder than it should be, or maybe I'm just making it harder than it really is...help would be appreciated! For instance....I have lots of photos I would love to post of the new puppies, Christmas, etc...but I am not sure how to do so! :/



Well...until next time...Porter and I are off for our morning walk!