Let's Take A Train Ride!

A few months back, Keil had mentioned taking a train ride, nothing big just one of the KY Scenic train rides. Well, yesterday I got a little bored at work and decided to look into "My Old Kentucky Dinner Train" in Bardstown, convincing myself that I could potentially take one of my Girl Scout groups there I was okay with surfing while at work. After seeing the pricing I knew taking a Girl Scout group was out of the question!

I was thinking maybe it would be something fun to do for my birthday in December. So, as I was browsing the schedule I noticed that they have some special events, in Ocotber they do a "trunk or treat" train ride for kids and in December they have the "polar express" ride. Well, I saw that in November they have a Murder Mystery Dinner...how much fun would that be!?! My plan then changed from a birthday trip to getting a group of friends to go. I sent out an email giving the details and instantly had 2 people respond, I'm still waiting on a few of you! Tickets for the dinner are about $98 each but group discounts are given for more than 10 people, so that is what we are working on now. It include a four course meal, two and a half hour train ride and the murder mystery, I think it's super reasonable!
I'm so excited about it I cannot stand it! Keil even showed a bit of excitement about it too :) Check it out and see for yourself

Weekend Recap

I just love weekend, especially those where nothing is on the agenda. Unfortunately, I don't have very many of those.

Well, Friday afternoon I raced home after work to see if my new purse was on the doorstep. When I pulled into the driveway I didn't see anything on the front porch and I was super disappointed. I just knew it was going to be there! Keil had beaten me home and he was outside working in the yard, right as I was walking up our front steps he said, " There is a package for you in the living room" I squealed with excitement knowing that my new handbag had arrived. I couldn't get the box open quick enough...but as soon as I did, I took it outside to show Keil (knowing his level of excitement wouldn't be anywhere near mine). The rest of the night was super simple, we ordered pizza and watched tv...exciting, I know.

Keil had to work for his parents on Saturday so I was home alone and had the whole day to myself. I got up as he was leaving and made a list of everything I was going to do. First, I flipped through my new Kraft Food & Family magazine (that Amy introduced me to). It's a magazine that has a ton of great recipes: quick, simple and affordable!
So, before going to the grocery I decided on 7 new dishes for the week, most of them from the magazine and a couple from Pampered Chef. Keil and I joke that we only eat chicken or spaghetti so I thought it was time for a change! I selected the new recipes and made my shopping list, then I was on my way!

After returning from the grocery, I clean out the fridge and freezer as I was putting things away. After getting my refridgerator clean I moved right on down the list: laundry, dishes, floors, windows, clean out the closet and organize my shoes, mow the yard and change the sheets on the bed. I felt so accomplished! And around 6 o'clock I dove into one of our 7 new meals, a cheddar chicken & pototoe skillet. When Keil called and asked what was for dinner and I proudly told him the name of our new dish, he seemed a little concerned. Yes, it had chicken but, it was something I had never made. It was amazing and I strongly recommed you try it! Dinner in 30 minutes :)

On Sunday, we did the usual. Breakfast at Ruth & Bob's, our favorite little dive then to church. Keil and I have been going to this church for about 2 months now and it is a perfect fit for both of us. The atmosphere is so relaxed and the members are so welcoming. I honestly do not believe I have ever felt so at home with a group of strangers. It's amazing!

After church, I had a 1st Birthday Party to attend. I love birthdays, especially 1st birthdays! Landen, my cousin Ray's little boy turned one. We had a great afternoon at the park with family and chocolate cupcakes!

It was such a great weekend! Although I got so much accomplished it was such an easy and relaxing weekend...I wish we had more of those!

I LOVE HANDBAGS!

So for a few years now I have really love Kathy van Zeeland handbags. They are so cute and so affordable, which is a great thing at this point in my life! I don't have a lot of them becuase once I find a bag I love I carry it forever. Well, the other day as I was flipping through the channels I got stuck on QVC (yes, I know your grandmother shops on QVC but now, so do I). Kathy van Zeeland was there showcasing some of her new handbags and I was captivated. So I called my mom, who is an avid QVC shopper and asked her how to order one. I called and set up my very own account and ordered this amazing bag!

They told me the expected arrival date was the 24th, and I figured it would arrive much quicker. So, for the last 3 days I have been checking the UPS site religiously to see what the status of my delivery is. This morning, I checked and it is on its way from Madisonville to my doorstep! I am thinking of leaving work early ;)

Pepe Le Pew!

Last Tuesday night as Keil and I were sleeping we had a very unexpected, unwelcome visitor, our friendly neighborhood skunk! It's actually a pretty funny story. A few nights before, we were outside on our neighbors (Kristen & Jeff) front porch when we saw this cute little skunk run across a yard on the other side of the street. It came into our yard and ran into the tile that goes under our driveway. Kristen and I got the camera and tried to take a picture but the little stinker wouldn't come out.So, there we were asleep with our puppy mafia (we've decided to get a bigger bed as both of us and the three dogs are becoming a tight squeeze) and all of a sudden Toby, our rat terrier, starts barking uncontrollably. Keil yelled at him but it didn't really deter him, he just kept on barking and making these horrible whining sounds. Then there was SILENCE! A horrid smell filled my nose and I looked at Keil and said, "Do you think that skunk is in this house?" He replied, "Surely not!" Now, I know you may be asking yourself, "How in the world would a skunk get in a house?" Well, being the dog lovers that we are, we have a doggie door that goes out into a fenced in portion of our backyard. And yes, apparently skunks use doggie doors too!

Keil opened the door and sure enough there he was...Pepe! He had somehow gotten inside our fence and found our doggie door. I think Toby barking scared him and he let loose! I believe Toby's silence came right after he was sprayed by the skunk...it was not good. He walked around like he was scared to death, he didn't know what to do! Keil shouted and I guess it let the little skunk know he was unwelcome because he darted right back out the doggie door. So, at midnight we were giving Toby a bath in tomato juice (thank God Keil drinks V8) and baking soda.
The smell removal from Toby was the easy part. Our entire house smelled of skunk...and if you think its bad when you smell one driving down the road, just imagine it being in your home! I did some research and found that one drop of skunk spray can linger in a 2000 square foot house for approximately one month, my house is only 1000 square feet, so needless to say I was worried. I read online that there is this stuff called "Skunk-Off" made by Natures Miracle that is pretty much magic.

I bought every bottle that Rural King had, along with vinegar and baking soda to wash our clothes in. I sprayed every square inch of the house and had to spread baking soda on the floors and let it set for 4 hours. All of our clothes in the closet had to be washed to get rid of the odor so it was a great opportunity to clean out my closet! After about 12 hours of skunk-off, the smell was completely gone! But definitely not forgotten :) We have decided to start closing the doggie door at night so our little friend will not make another appearance.

One Great Day

On Saturday I took all of my bridesmaids shopping for their dresses. I was so excited, not only to pick out dresses but to have all of my best friends in one room at the same time. The great thingabout these women is that I became friends with them at such different points in my life but thatour friendships have lasted and I know that they always will. My mom thought it was a little funny that none of the girls had ever met (and I guess it was) but having them all in the same room just made my heart warm!

Tiffany is one of my oldest friends, we go way back. My mom and her mom are best friends so our friendship was one that just sort of happened because we spent so much time together as young children. I can remember staying at her house and her staying at mine when we were little, I thought she was so cool and I was cool because I got to hang out with her. Tiffany and I have a lot in common and I can trust her with anything.

Allyson and I have been friends since like the 5th grade. We were on basketball and softball teams together and our friendship really blossomed in high school when she rode to school with me everyday. Although, we don't see one another very often we never miss a beat. The great thing about our friendship is that no matter how much time passes between visits, nothing ever changes.

Kali and I actually knew each other in high school but weren't really close. We started spending time together about a year ago since we have many mutual friends. I think our first "date" was dinner and movie (one that we couldn't get our men to go see). I realized then that she and I could be great friends. Although we hadn't spent much time together in the past our conversation was so easy and natural. She is my workout buddy, since no one else with go to body pump with me. And she's probably the only person who will go to the gym and stop by Tumbleweed to have a margarita before going home!

And, then there is Amy. Amy and I became friends my sophomore year of college and have been going strong ever since. We spent many sunny days poolside at our apartment complex and many great nights out in Richmond. She is one of the strongest women I know. We aren't the kind of friends that have to talk daily or see each other all the time but when we do,it's like we are still neighbors in "smuf village" :)

All of these women are so incredible and I am a better person because of every single one of them. My grandmother once told me that a person is very lucky to have a handful of true friends throughout their lifetime. I guess I'm one of those lucky people! They didn't all come into my life at one time but I truly believe that they will all be there until the end.

Oh, and I guess you are probably wondering if they decided on a dress. Well, they did! And they all look so beautiful (just as I knew they would).

Let the Fun Begin...

I'm new to this whole blogging thing, so bear with me as I begin this adventure! After becoming fascinated with others blogs, I've decided to start one of my own and just see where it takes me!From crazy days at work, adventures with my besties and planning my wedding, it's sure to be a wild ride! Stay tuned as my "beautiful mess" unfolds.