My Neat Blog: February 2012

Valentine’s Day – Not just for lovers

Happy Valentine’s Day – by the time this gets posted it will be two days belated! Okay, just call me Martha Stewart if you will. About two months ago I finally started pinning on Pinterest and haven’t stopped. If you’re on Pinterest you know what I’m speaking of and if you’re not, well, you’re missing out! Any way I’ve been trying to “stop pinning and start doing” - I believe this is an unofficial slogan of Pinterest. For Valentine’s Day, I started doing!

I have to admit I say I hate the month of February because of MaDee’s death anniversary date (which will be in 24 minutes) but honestly it’s hard to hate an entire month for one day that carries sadness throughout the entire year. The fact is I loved hating this holiday (V-day) with MaDee. One of the last posts I wrote on MaDee’s CaringBridge was on Valentine’s Day and then a few days later that very post was read at MaDee’s funeral. So really this “dreadful” holiday brings much vulnerability and closure for me. I remember just sitting listening to the pastor and then all of a sudden these words filled my ears and I realized they were my words. Therefore by a long shot I do not hate Valentine’s Day as much as I may claim. I actually love it.

This post wasn’t meant to be a sad rant but instead a bubbly, fun, look-at-me I’m crafty post! Which I’ll get to but Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers and maybe it took me 24 years to realize it but Valentine’s Day is about love. Whether it’s the love for a significant other, parent, child, friend, coworker, teacher, student, pet, etc. – it’s about love. And it’s a great excuse to wear reds and pinks! P.S. I’ve worn red or pink all week - I wonder if any of my coworkers have noticed- today was unintentional but I might as well continue out the week!

So let’s get to it.

I have to say my favorite part of Valentine’s Day is the care package from my mom and dad, the wearing of reds and pinks, and baking delicious cupcakes!

Before I show you my brag book about Valentine’s Day I would just like to highlight some observations I’ve made about Valentine’s Day most are from Facebook…

A few observations – I may sound like a bitter Betty and I’m not denying the fact that I’d love to have a jewelry giving, flower picking, chocolate making boyfriend but it wasn’t in the cards this year.

So I was at Wal-Mart buying a mini muffin pan and I saw three men buying $40.00 3 foot teddy bears. I would like to say to you men: unless this is for your child, no woman needs a 3-foot teddy bear and I bet I can list 40 things for $40.00 she’d rather have but hey, better than nothing!

Hey Facebook friends, nice flowers! You suck! :) Just kidding, I was totally envious all day long looking at this flower garden of a Facebook wall.

“Valentine’s Day sucks, I don’t need a Valentine – Happy Valentine’s to me – being single is so much better” – translation – I wish I had a Valentine.

And last, thank you for all the pet pictures. I agree dogs make perfect Valentine’s but let’s be honest you’d rather have a human.

Alright to the brag book!

A little sneak peek of more things for my
Sprinkle the Bride With Love! Bridal Shower

Printed pictures from Pinterest and did some cute things to them.

Love!

Love is Sweet!

Sneak peek - Guest bucket game!

This is what's going on in my living room - for the shower in two weeks!

Okay, I admit it who wouldn't want this little guy as your Valentine?

Okay, he's mine!!!!

I had a genuis Pinterest worthy idea. Use empty icing canisters and decorate the outside and fill the inside with delicous treats - like cupcakes!

The cupcake plunger is awesome! Must buy! $3.99 at Bed, Bath and Beyond!

Mini red velvet cupcakes for my lovely coworkers!

Saw these on Pinterest - Super suckers! Only made a few.

Pinterest recipe! Corndog nuggets! Easy peasy!

And lastly, my loot!

a cupcake from my cupcake :)

from delicious Bubblecakes!

A beautiful card from my bff

And a snazzy scarf, shirt, candy and more from my loving parents.

Happy Valentine's Day!

May all your days be filled with l-o-v-e!

Love, Amanda

The past 5 months…

It’s a good thing I don’t do this for living, that’s for sure. Blogging that is – it’s a new year and I’m happy to report that the last half of 2011 was great. In fact, I think I’ll go through October, November, December and January right now!

Let’s start off with a big announcement that you may or may not know…

I’M GOING TO BE AN AUNT! My sister, Ashley is having her first baby in April. I am so excited for that sweet little GIRL. I think I found out in September? Ashley and Steven sent us an email of the sonogram and heart beat and then called us to tell us to check our email it was so cute. Then in November we found out it was going to be a girl. How exciting! She is going to be the luckiest girl in the world and very spoiled. I can’t stop picking up little things for her and she’s not even here yet! I’m so excited for April.

Of course with a baby comes a baby shower next month so hopefully I’ll have an exciting blog full of pictures of the shower. I have a lot of ideas already on pinterest. (Don’t get me started!)

October

October brings many birthdays including my siblings, my dog and MaDee.

MaDee would have been 24 – and in 11 days the second anniversary of her death is approaching. I feel a little sick thinking about it and have had that ‘feeling’ ever since the calendar turned February. I dread February but I know I’ll get through it. I am forever grateful to have been able to know MaDee as long as I did. When I’m down I really can think of a million memories to cheer me up and our love/hate relationship Valentine’s Day does help me a little this month. It makes me smile.

My brother, Scott celebrated his birthday and so did my sister, Ashley. They are swiftly approaching 30. It’s crazy how that doesn’t seem so old anymore.

The mom-to-be, Ashley celebrated her birthday by going to an apple farm in Charlottesville. I remember thinking it would be a cool crisp fall day and it was totally miserable – hot. It was a fun time celebrating Ashley’s birthday with her. It was neat knowing her next birthday we’d have a little girl to celebrate with

The Apple Farm...

How beautiful is Charlottesville?

Steven learned his lesson last year - always make a yellow cake with chocolate icing. True story: the "H" children were made this every year of their life on their birthdays.

Ashley wouldn't let me post this before - the forming of the bump!

October brought my dog, Tex's 2nd Birthday! His birthday and my sister's birthday are the same day so I had to celebrate his later that week. What we did? I had to flex some hours from work so I left a few hours early, scooped him up and we went on a little shopping trip to Pet Smart!

Tex checking out his swag from Pet Smart.

And the last event in October...I had to say farewell to the Jeep. All in a week - the engine, transmission and radiator were going dooooown.

Farewell Jeep! You're missed but I love my first grown up car.

It makes me feel like a soccer mom.

Oh and Tex was a cow for Halloween - When I find those pics i'll post -they may be on my moms camera?

November

November... I'll I can think of right now is Thanksgiving. It was a great day with family at my sisters. My little cousin was there and it was sooo fun. We haven't had anyone 'young' around for awhile so it was nice to have entertainment. Of course, Ashley was the COA - Center of Attention - with the baby news and all. Can't wait to celebrate the holidays with that little baby!

December

Yay for December! I had a really great Christmas! Celebrating here in Roanoke, at work, and then again at my brother's house in North Augusta. It was our first Christmas not at our home with our parents. At first I thought it was going to be sad and I didn't want change- already, so soon! But I have to admit the first Christmas not at my parents wasn't too bad. I love my brother and his wifes home in South Carolina. The only thing that was missing was the Christmas Day my sister and Steven weren't there but it was still a great time. They came the next day and we were all together... It really did make me realize that no matter where you are as long as you're with your family you're home. HOME. I think it probably makes it a little easier that we moved from our home of 18 years that first Christmas in South Carolina 5 years ago was the hardest.

Christmas...

Some loot waiting to be wrapped!

Baking in the kitchen!

Thank you, pinterest!

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

These made excellent gifts!

Christmas in N. Augusta!

My sister-in-laws beautiful display - she needs to pin it!

I love my daddy frame!

The parents to be! Cute little socks.

Christmas makes these puppies tired. Tex and Leo.

Christmas was exciting! And it also brought exciting news for my bff, Stacey who got engaged! Congrats Stacey! I can't wait for the wedding!

January

Happy New Year! 2012! I rang in the New Year in Atlanta at the Chick-fil-a bowl. It was a lot of fun!!

I reflected on 2011 and thought about all the blessings 2012 has to bring... a baby and 2 of my best friends getting married. 2012 will be an exciting year for sure!

Oh and I know, UVa lost but still a great trip!