Life with Music (During Christmas)

Seeing as I’m such a strict follower of the “Zero Christmas before Thanksgiving” I like to think I cherish the sounds of the season a little more! In fact, I plan out my After Turkey Christmas Music All The Time playlist weeks days in advance. It’s a sickness, really.

But honestly, there are a few songs that internally make me cringe.

Turn on the 24 hour Christmas channel for the first time, the second song I hear is that damn Christmas Shoes. #Theworst

— Rachel S ⚓ (@racheltoo2) December 2, 2013

Then, there are others that bring back floods of Christmas warm and fuzzies.

I mean, really, is there anything better?

Don’t act like you can’t jam the heck out of this one! 

Go ahead, share your favorite and #theworst Christmas songs, I won’t tell the Holiday police. What song makes you change the channel?

Life on Thanksgiving

Imagine, if you will, a beautiful Texas fall day. The sky is clear. The air is warm. The Thanksgiving food is ready to be enjoyed.

The beer is, of course, cold. The outfit is adorable, if I do say so myself.

The only thing missing is a screeching smoke detector, right?

Oh and some firefighters, because who doesn’t have firefighters at Thanksgiving!

Oh, FYI. If your smoke and house alarms are connected, the alarm company will call the fire department. And if it happens to be a false alarm on a holiday, the firefighters will be angry. No question.

Life on the Weekend

Linking up for This Weekend I…

Ah Monday, we meet again!

Sometimes you need to stock up on everything at the same time.

Jumps on my bed.

Treats for the Bindles

Just couldn’t pass up BOGO S-Bucks.

Notice the sandals. Texas weather is weird sometimes.

86 degrees in November calls for some back porch sittin’.

Life Lessons: Spice Up Your Life (If you’re having a good time!)

 

During my two hour round trip commute I am afforded plenty of opportunities to ponder life and all it’s intricacies.

I’ve been feeling the need to shake things up lately and being the good 90’s girl that I am I turn to the fount of all knowledge. 

Sporty, Ginger, Posh, Scary, and Baby

Because who doesn’t, am I right?

Eat your heart out Posh!

That’s right, inspiration can hit while listening to 90’s solid gold!

Let’s dive a little deeper into the lyrical snack that is Spice Up Your Life.

When you're feelin' sad and low
We will take you where you gotta go
Smiling dancing everything is free
All you need is positivity

*If you’re feeling down, grab some of your friends, dance, smile, and have a good time!*

Bonus points if some adult beverages are consumed.

Colors of the world
Spice up your life
Every boy and every girl
Spice up your life
People of the world
Spice up your life, aahh

*Pretty self explanatory: Don’t discriminate and don’t leave your best guy friend at home.*

Slam it to the left
If you're havin' a good time
Shake it to the right
If you know that you feel fine
Chicas to the front Huh huh and go round

*When in doubt, slam it and shake it.*

Yellow man in timbucktoo
Color for both me and you
Kung Fu fighting dancing queen
Tribal spaceman and all that's in between

*Dress up and go crazy, obviously.*

Flamenco, lambada, but hip hop is harder
We moonwalk the foxtrot, then polka the salsa
Shake it shake it shake it haka
Shake it shake it shake it haka
Arriba ahaa

*Don’t limit your dance choices.*

 

 

 

Life on the Weekend

Ahh, I love a good weekend! Too bad I’m at work today. Do ya feel me?!

I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do when I move out of my family’s house. My life weekends will be pretty boring.

Coffee/shopping/selfies with the middle one. (She’s pretty great!)

Froyo is my love language.

Sunday Sunset

Texas and your snails.

Oh, PS, I’m thinking of starting a Youtube Channel. Would you watch my videos if I did?

Life Lately

Well, that was a long break!

I’ve always been obsessed with initials. After a friend or family member has a baby, mentally I’m putting together the kid’s monogram to see if it makes anything ridiculous. I have a cousin whose initials are IMP. No joke. My initials happen to be RTS. I always thought it was so cool that they’re almost in alphabetical order. (There is a point to this story, I promise!)

Life lately hasn’t been easy. The growing pains of a new school, the driving back and forth, adjusting to life in a new state, and all that goes with, well, life.

However, I don’t back down from a challenge. Because I Refuse To Sink. (See what I did there?)

I’ve been clinging to this truth while being anchored by the One who holds me.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

I refuse to let my circumstances dictate my behavior.

I refuse to be limited by my circumstances.

I refuse to be ruled by my attitude.

I Refuse to Sink.

Life in the Kitchen: That Time I Baked a Delicious Pie

 

So can we get a hallelujah for all things fall related? Ok, now that’s over with let’s talk about Pumpkin and more specifically delicious pie. Oh man do I have something amazing for you!

A few weeks ago I found this mouth watering pin from Tidymom.net

Apparently I pinned this last year and never made it. I’m so glad I found it again, it’s that good guys!

Click on the picture for the full recipe!

 

Cleaning up is way easier with this girl doing all the work!

Life on the Weekend

Linking up for This Weekend I…

We have some of the greatest neighbors! I love when we get together over amazing food.

I’ve made this pie twice in the last two weeks. It’s so good. I’ll have the recipe up on the blog this week.

I’m totally addicted to bright things. Right?

I’m in love!

Catching up on writing and reading blogs. Somehow I never find time to read and comment on all your lovely blogs! If there was an award for worst blog reader in the world, I’d win.

Taking a new profile pic is serious business!

What crazy things did you get into this weekend?

Life in Fall: Favorite Non Christmas Movies

 

Fall and Christmas…hands down, best time of the year. Can we all agree on that? Ok, moving on.

Like I mentioned yesterday, celebratin’ holidays needs to happen one at a time. Treat each day with the respect it deserves. That being said, there comes a time every year (around the second week of November) when I start itching to listen to Christmas movies and indulge in a little Love Actually. But rules are rules I’m a crazy person , and I hold off until after the turkey is put away. If you feel the same way, today is your day! I’ve spent a few years (I wish I was kidding) compiling a list of movies that contain Christmas scenes but aren’t strictly Christmas movies. 

-Under the Tuscan Sun-

Spending Christmas in Italy, yes please!

-Save the Last Dance-

My college years in Chicago makes me love this movie even more.

-Where the Heart Is-

Cheesy sappy goodness

-Maid in Manhattan-

Not one of JLo’s best, but the NYC scenes can’t be beat. Plus Simon and Garfunkel can’t hurt.

-Serendipity-

All the classic elements: Winter, skating, hot chocolate, and love.

-Someone Like You-

If you haven’t seen this movie, make some time. I love Ashley Judd.

-Sleepless in Seattle-

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks make my list, again!

-Bed of Roses-

One of my absolute favorite movies. By far the longest Christmas scene in my entire list.

-You’ve Got Mail-

I know this was on my list yesterday, but come on “The horn the horn, it sounds so forlorn.” Stop what you’re doing and watch if you are confused.   

-Emma-

The Gwyneth Paltrow version is the best. Nothing like a Jane Austen ball to cheer you up!

-Mean Girls-

It would be an incredible shame if I didn’t include this gem on my list! The Talent Show? Teenage movie solid gold. 

Life in Fall: Favorite Fall Movies

I’m pretty well known for my war on anything Christmas before Thanksgiving. Save the Pilgrims and all that. Starting on September 1st, I put the breaks on anything Christmas related and revel in my favorite movies with an autumnal theme.

-Stepmom-

This movies makes me incredibly nostalgic for my elementary school days in Wisconsin.  The Thanksgiving play, leaves changing color, the crisp cool morning, ugh, I watch it at least two or three times a month during this season!

-You’ve Got Mail-

Don’t you just love New York in the fall?

Simply one of the best Meg Ryan movies, in my opinion. Did you know that this movie is actually a remake of a remake? The original movie is named The Shop Around the Corner (also the name of Meg Ryan’s character’s store!)

 

It takes place in 1940’s Budapest with Jimmy Stuart playing a store clerk. It’s a great Christmas movie! The Shop Around the Corner spun off into a musical called In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland.

If you love You’ve Got Mail, you need to see these other two gems.

-It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown-

Do I really need to explain myself?

-Growing the Big One-

I happened to catch this one last year on a Redbox night. Cute, sappy, and predictable but really charming. Shannon Doherty has to move back home, doesn’t want to, but shocker finds love in the end!

 Stayed tuned for tomorrow’s list!

My Favorite Non-Christmas Christmas Movies (It’ll make sense, I promise!)

 

 

Life on the Weekend

Linking up for This Weekend I…

Cue the angel chorus, bust out the leggings, boots, and gigantic sweaters. Fall is finally here in Texas!

Waiting for my stylist at the salon!

This is my life.

I wrote this post a couple days ago. Check it out! I’ve planned some other fall themed posts for the month. Get excited. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing my favorite fall movies.

Umm, Little Giants was on ABC Family yesterday. I’m 110% positive Devon Sawa was my first crush. Freaking stars in my eyes!

Life in October: Saving Money for the Big Stuff

Ps…I’m totally embracing October, great ready for fall themed posts all month long. Hashtag, sorry not sorry.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Well…almost.

If you’re anything like me, money is tiiiight. And if knowing that the season is just around the corner is making you run for cover, fear not. I’ve got you covered! Now is the perfect time to make a game plan!

Simple Ways to Not Max Out Your Credit Card this Holiday Season

-Start Buying a Visa Gift Card Once a Week.-

Pick a dollar amount that fits your budget. Use those cards to buy your gifts or give them as gifts!

-Hit Up a Few Etsy Shops-

If you don’t have a favorite (or two!) Etsy shops, where have you been? There’s nothing like helping out a small business owner. PS-If you ask really nicely, they may offer you and your readers a coupon code or a giveaway. Use you blog for good.

-Buy a Few Small Things Each Time You Shop-

My grandma always picked up little knickknacks here and there during the year. Sometimes she gifted us right away, other times she saved it for Christmas. Either way it was so special knowing she thought about you while being out and about.

 -Homemade-

Check out your Crafts to Make board (don’t pretend you don’t have one) and make something! You’ll thank me later!

-Layaway-

Wal-Mart, Sears and K-Mart are all offering layaway programs this season. I even saw an ad from Wal-Mart that offered no sign up costs! Sweet deal.

 

Life in October

Happy October! One of my favorite months is finally here. What is it about fall that gets bloggers all in a tizzy?!

Whatever, I love to play along!

Some things I’m looking forward to:

Can’t wait to make these with the littles in my class.

I need to bake this like yesterday!

Pumpkin pie dip….amaze

Simple and easy.

Drooling!

I think Ghost Pumpkins are my favorite!

I’m a sucker for a great soup!

Hmmm…pie…

What are you looking forward to?

Life on the Weekend

Linking up for This Weekend I…

Feels like forever since I’ve done one of these!

A pretty typical weekend around here. I’m loving relaxing afternoons with this one.

She loves a awful good selfie.

Gotta be quick with this one!

We're watching a ton of Disney movies over here. #saturdaynight #getonmylevel

— Rachel S (@racheltoo2) September 29, 2013

 

Pretty sure I found my greatest weakness.

 

Heaven in chip form. Amazing.

Can’t wait to hear about your weekend!

Life in September: Day Sixteen

Write about a time when you screwed up.

Is it sad that most of my horrible stories come from sixth grade?

I could talk about the time I smarted off , got detention, and almost got my Valentine’s party taken away. Or maybe that time I hid a classmate’s math textbook and he got in trouble instead of me. I also remember a time when I quoted a line from a Pauly Shore movie, something along the lines of “everyday is an orgasm!” and the principal threatened me with calling my mother and I would need to repeat the line to her. Did I mention, at the time, she was the school board president ? Or that I was a student at a Christian school?

My stories sound pretty pathetic.

I’m sure that I’ve screwed up royally recently, but I’m not funny and I’m a tiny bit boring.

 

Life in September: Day Fourteen

Life Lately

This time with my family has been extra sweet. As much as I’m looking forward to having my own place, it will be hard to say goodbye to this chapter.