1 + 1 = 3

We've got big news here at Camp Dallas!  We're expecting our first child!  Our little prince or princess is due on April 18th.  Yes, I'm in my 17th week and finally blogging about it...please forgive me for keeping such exciting news from you for so long!  I have been keeping a journal since we found out, so I will be posting some of those entries for your reading pleasure!  :-)  Words can't even describe our joy - we are so, so blessed!



On Wisconsin!

College football is one of my favorite things.  It always has been, but since I've know Mr. C (a football coach and quite frankly, football fanatic), I've learned more about teams and the game itself than I ever thought I would know.  In big news, my beloved alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, beat #1 ranked Ohio State yesterday!  Way to go, Badgers!



However, I do have a little confession.  I think Ohio State's coach, Jim Tressel, is so handsome (in an older-man-sorta-way) in his tie and sweater vest.  Although he coaches the opposing team, I just can't help but give respect to a sharp dresser.  Case in point:

So, there you have my thoughts on yesterday's game.  I love the big Wisconsin win, and I love Jim Tressel's sweater vests. 



Falling into Fall

I just love fall.  I love the changing colors, the crisp weather, and fall clothes.  I love trips to the apple orchard, football, and Sunday walks with leaves crunching under my feet.  While I don't have a lot of fall decorations, I had fun putting out a few things this past weekend:

Welcome to our home, all decorated for autumn:



Now, onto the inside of the house:

Our kitchen island, complete with my favorite fall treat -

candy corn and dry roasted peanuts! 

Hydrangea bouquet,

courtesy of my parents Pee Gee Hydrangea Tree

I scored these cute little Halloween signs at Wal-Mart last year for $1 each. 

I think they are so fun!

Enjoy the beautiful weather! 

CAbi Fabi

You know how, as women, we get invited to about 238957 home parties a year?  Well, I don't mind as long as I LIKE the stuff that is being sold.  I frequent Silpada and CAbi parties, attending at least a few a year.  Am I able to purchase many things...nooooooo, but I love the social part of it and always find something to splurge on that I love.


However, what is it about those parties that makes money seem, well, like it grows on trees?!  I can honestly say that I've never gone to the mall and seriously considered spending $118 on a tunic.  But at a CAbi party?!  Yes, please!  I'll take it!  I think I get caught up in all the, "WOW!  That looks great on you!" comments, and because I've limited myself to just two items, when my bills comes to $200, I feel like I've stayed within my budget.  Ummm...HELLO!!?  And the most ironic thing about this?  I've managed to get other girlfriends hooked by inviting them along, hence resulting in even more parties.  Good Heavens, I'm like a fashion drug dealer.

As for Silpada...I've been invited to just a couple parties, stayed well-within my budget, and LOVE the pieces I purchased.  But again, would I ever go to the mall and spend $79 on a fun ring?  Probably not.  But the wine and good conversations make for an even more appealing shopping experience. 

I think, as I attend parties such as these, it's importannt to have perspective and not get all caught up in the hype.  After all, I can look - and feel - just as great in something off the sale rack at Target.

Thought of the Day

What is it about hosting company that makes me want to vacuum out my toaster cabinet?

1, 2, 3, chee...4, 5, 6, 7, CHEESE!

When Mr. C and I got married 4 years ago, one of our first purchases as newlyweds was a camera.  We hadn't quite made it to the digital age yet, and with an upcoming honeymoon, we needed to arrive in the 21st century.  We weren't very picky about our point-and-shoot purchase - I just asked for at least 5.0 megapixels (it seemed like a lot back then, okay?!) and something small enough to put in a pocket.  Off we went to a local store with our wedding gift certificate, and purchased our little Nikon CoolPix L3.  Fabulous Followers, meet the L3:

However, it's time for me and the not-so-CoolPix to bid farewell.  Her picture quality has become awful (or maybe it has been all along, and I am now just noticing), and even with a new battery, the shutter speed is too slow to photograph a statue and takes about 6 seconds to recoop after taking a photo.  I am mortified if anyone else has to use it to take a picture, as I am constantly saying, "It's super-slow.  I'm sorry.  I need a new camera."

Now, I must give credit where credit is due, since that trusty little camera has seen us through a lot - a Jamaican honeymoon, many weekend getaways, weddings galore, a growing 4-legged baby, and a home renovation.  Even so, I'm ready to drop her like a bad habit for a little something like this:

I know, I know, I have expensive taste.  But, I love photography (as much as a point-and-shoot owner can) and really want to invest in a quality DSLR that I will have for many years.  I have talked to multiple people with Rebels, and they love them.  However, I maintain that I am all about researching big purchases, so anybody that can offer any insight, help a girl out!

The Skinny on My New Favorite Marg!

When I first heard that Bethenny Frankel of the Real Housewives of New York came out with Skinny Girl Margarita, I have to admit I was skeptical.  In fact, I am pretty sure my thoughts went something like, "Why do famous people always think they need a signature something or another?" 

Weeellllll...thou shalt beg for forgivness, because it's amazing.  Seriously.  That skinny biatch from New York came up with a killer cocktail.  And at 100 calories per 4 ounce glass, I can't help but love her.  And want to remind her that no one in their right mind only has a 4 ounce margarita.

For more information on this low-cal goodness, visit
http://www.skinnygirlcocktails.com/

Wal-Mart Finally Returned the Favor

For the past few months, our local Wal-Mart has been under construction.  As if a trip to Wal-Mart isn't stressful enough, they kept rearranging things to temporary locations.  For a whole month, they were out of every Crest toothpaste known to man.  I kid you not.

I'd love to tell you this story has a fairytale ending, but no, we did not get a Target.  However, coming in closely behind was this little beauty:

That's right.  The Walton Family sent me a gift card as a token of their appreciation for my patience.  I always knew I liked them.

Baby, It's HOT Outside!

I love summer.  Like, with all my heart.  There are few things that give me greater joy than sitting poolside with good book (which serves as a disguise for what I really do...people-watch).  Well, here in the good 'ol midwest, we are suffering from a scorching heat wave.  It has been humid, with temps in the 90s for days.  And days.  And days.  This makes my usual summer activity of being a pool-chair-rat less than appealing.  Yes, I realize it's a refreshing pool, but there's just something odd about a 27-year old frolicking in the water by herself.


Therefore, I've had to get creative and find other activites to keep me occupado in the recent days.  Here's my top-ten list of things to do when it's too frickin' hot to be outside:


1.  Drive 90 miles to get to the closest (decent) mall.
2.  Organize something (closets, file cabinets, drawers, basement...the list goes on).
3.  Find new blogs.  Speaking of, has anyone (other than my darling sister) found mine?
4.  Read.  Good books, trashy magazines, The Onion.  Anything goes.
5.  Add to my list of "Mr. C, you know what we really need...?"
6.  Buy ingredients to bake.  Then decide it's too hot to bake.
7.  Scour Craigslist, just waiting to swoop in on that good deal.
8.  Netflix.  Need I say more?
9.  Water my plants that I neglected yesterday.  And the day before.  Shit.
10.  Work on my little baby larva of a blog!


What would be on YOUR hot-weather top-ten list?

The Princess & Her Lack of Motivation

I've always considered myself a fairly active person.  Hell, I've run a half-marathon, along with about a zillion 8K and 5K races.  I frequent exercise classes at the gym and even did Zumba once a week all last winter.  So, what is it lately?  Why can't I seem to get myself out the door more than 1 day in a row (does 1 day even count as being 'in a row'?)?


So, in an attempt to snap myself out of this exercise mediocrity, I did what any self-respecting athlete would do.  I indulged in The North Face's fabulous summer sale, and scored some new workout clothes at a great price!  If this this smokin' hot running skirt can't motivate me, there's little hope.

http://www.thenorthface.com/

Losing my Blogging Virginity

It's official!!  I'm a blogger.  I keep telling myself that if nobody ever reads my blog, it's okay.  Really, it is, because I am doing this to document our days that turn into months that turn into years that turn into life.  Our life, in our little corner of the world at Camp Dallas.  However...it'd be more fun to have somebody read it.  Any takers?