How Early is Too Early??

Because I may or may not have taken this picture last night...in my living room...

Ready or not, Santa's on his way! Bells are ringing, Josh Groban is singing and Starbucks has red cups. So buckle your sleigh bells and get ready for a Christmas Story marathon!

I've been fighting it a bit because we're having GORGEOUS 75 degree days here in Austin. I'm not wishing away this beautiful fall but there is something about the first burn of my Balsam & Cedar candles and plugging in my decorated Christmas tree that sets my heart a flutter. Don't think we didn't crank up our AC so we could drink our hot chocolate the night the tree went up. Dave said, "Well, it looks great! But I think you've set an all-new record." He's right, but with the schedule I've been keeping I had to do it when I could do it or it wouldn't get done! So there you go!

I hope are all gearing up for a wonderful holiday season full of Thanksgiving blessings and Christmas fun!

Obsessed Much??

YES! Why yes, I am!

All photos AP Credit or Google Images

I cannot get enough of this Prince William- Kate Middleton engagement madness. They've got me hook line and sinker. All I can say is, I wanna be Kate when I grow up!

I love them as a couple (spoken as though we are BFF and have dinner parties every Friday night...), I think she is precious, but not overly perfect...which is so refreshing. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be cuddled up on the couch, hot chocolate in hand for tonight's "Royal Engagement" special on ABC!

I am so in love with her ring and I think it is so special that he gave her Princess Diana's ring. What an honor for her to have such a treasure and how precious that William was able to give her a piece of his mother. Y'all, I'm puddy...

And seriously, she found that gorgeous navy dress to compliment the ring...swoon!

I loved Princess Di. Of course, I was fairly young while she was in her prime, but I feel like I grew up "knowing her". She was the Princess of Wales for sobbing out loud. She was gorgeous, a style icon and always so classy.

I think Kate will continue that tradition of class and style and it will be interesting to see her in the royal spotlight as they begin their family.

So, the party date is set. July 8th, 2011! Come on over in all of your wedding party glory. Put on your favorite bridesmaid dress (and by favorite I mean one that still fits...) and we'll have a royal wedding celebration!

Poser...

I've got a bit of a poser on my hands. The camera comes out and my little diva's ready!

We had a photo shoot several weeks ago with my friend Jamie and these are a few of the amazing pictures she took for me. I absolutely love the pictures of my little man! Those of you on my Christmas card list...forget you ever saw these because you might be seeing one or two again. :)

I saved the best for last! This one is my favorite!

Thank you, Jamie! I love the photos.

There's No Place Like Hope...

5 years ago we started team Zsa Zsa. 5 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and the fight began. But we always had hope.

We had hope that mom would be loved and comforted through her treatments (she was), hope that God would give her strength and be her comfort during her immense trial (He did), hope that we would hear the words "cancer free" (we continue to), and we hope that one day there will be a cure. So we press on to fundraise and raise awareness to find a cure...We walk...

"Hope" is the thing with feathers—

That perches in the soul—

And sings the tune without the words—

And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—

And sore must be the storm—

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm—

I've heard it in the chillest land—

And on the strangest Sea—

(my mom and cute nana)

Yet, never, in Extremity,

It asked a crumb—of Me. ~ Emily Dickinson

Team Zsa Zsa 2010! Thank you from the bottom of my heart...

Birthday Boys!

Saturday was my little man's birthday! It's hard to believe that he is SIX! That's 42 in dog years! So it basically means I'm living with a middle-aged man who pouts when I get home from work and talk on the phone (ignoring him), pouts while I get ready for work (because I'm going to leave him), and is a complete snob when it comes to Dog treats. When I go to the bank and I have him in the car with me they always send a treat back for him. He won't even take it because it's a generic milk bone. How did I raise such a diva?

Not long after the birthday song had been sung....I got a call...It was a very, very exciting call that my BFF Liz (The Loj) was in labor! I had been waiting for this day as Lynch, Bradley and L-Merc have all had their babies in the last 4 months and Charlie/Annie was the last one we were waiting for! I was also beyond excited to finally know if it was a boy or a girl I would get to love on. At 10:52pm sweet CHARLIE was born! Now Rookie has a birthday buddy!

He's precious and sweet and truly the cutest baby in the world! That little button nose and those tiny ears....LOVE. Happy birthday Charlie!

The new family of 3! Liz, Charlie and Daniel (This is how the Loj looked about 12 HOURS after birth! I mean, really??)

And a little Aunt T-Rog time! He was wide awake the whole time! We were just chattin'. I told him I'm submitting him for season 8,465 of the Bachelor.

Then he stuck his tongue out at me...RUDE!

And this was the sweet boy yesterday. He is still in NICU due to blood sugar and sodium levels, so say a pray for Charlie Boo that he will get to go home really soon!! LOVE you my little Buddy! And your crazy momma too!!

My Bucket List...

Take me out to the ball game

Take me out with the crowd

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks

I don't care if I never get back

For it's root, root, root for the home team

If they don't win it's a shame

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out

At the old ball game!

I got one my bucket list wishes last night as my brother, sister, Dave and I had the opportunity to go to game 4 of this year's World Series. I have been a Rangers' fan my entire life. I can remember going to games in the old Rangers' Stadium to watch players like Steve Buechele, Julio Franco, Ruben Sierra, Pete Incaviglia and of course, Mr. Nolan Ryan.

The Post Season is not something Rangers' fans are used to. In fact, it's a fairly foreign concept. So the fact that my Texas Rangers were ALCS champs and finally made a trip to the World Series was just icing on the post season cake! The interesting twist is that their opponents are the San Francisco Giants. My brother happens to play in their farm system. That does NOT mean I am torn. My allegiance is Blue and Red, but it does make for interesting discussion. And just in case you're wondering...HE does feel torn.

But thankfully, after years of talk of him being the favorite child,and Kristen and I never really thinking it had merit, he finally earned his keep. He came up big with 12 tickets to the series. Everyone in my family has had the opportunity to go to at least one game. I'm not going to lie that it made my year! Unfortunately, I was not the good-luck charm that brought them a win last night, but I'm hoping for a very MERRY CLIFFSMAS tonight!

I believe...