Progress has been made!

I made some progress on my list - hooray!!

Run - Check

Spray tan - Check

Put away clothes/start packing - Check

Clean apartment - Moving on...

Watch "Revenge" - Check - and so disappointed

And I've already been wildly productive today!

2 loads of laundry - check

Car wash - check

Ordered Christmas Cards - check

Wait... you mean that wasn't on my list? Oh well! Look how cute they are!!

The after work plan is:

Clean carpet in the car

Fill up the car with gas

Pack my suitcase

Make "family gifts"

Then tomorrow, tomorrow I love you tomorrow, I'm heading home!!!

I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve!!! I'm coming Mommacita, Papas, Nanny, Uncle Bill, Aunt Lynn, Will, Zach, Aniston... ok ok I'll stop.

Live life glamorously,

Elizabeth

Update

On Monday I posted my list of "to do" and "to pack" for my trip home. Well, it's Wednesday so I figure it's time to reveal how much I've accomplished. Drum roll please...

Nothing. Not one single thing.

No "pat on the back" for me -- only anxiety and a new day by day, hour by hour list. Ready for it? I know you're dying to read it.

- Wednesday -

6:00p - 6:45 - Run

7:15 - Spray Tan (hopefully)

7:45 - Start packing my suitcase for a WEEK at home. Put away all the clothes currently residing on my desk chair

8:15 - Vacuum and dust the apartment - Clean my bathroom

9:00 - Take a break to watch "Revenge"

10:00 - Hopefully sleep!

- Thursday -

6:00p - Go get a car wash, vacuum and clean the carpets in the car, check tire pressure, fill up the car with gas

7:15 - Laundry

8:00 - Finish any last minute packing

8:30 - Work on the "family gifts" to take home at Thanksgiving with M

- Friday -

12:00p - Run home during lunch to pack all my stuff in the car and have M bring me back to work

5:30 on the dot - Leave work and start the cruise on 1-40 East to head home!!!

I think this plan is going to work!! Hooray!!!

These pics are from Thanksgiving last year - I can't wait! I can't wait! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Live life glamorously,

Elizabeth

It's "going home!" week

I'm going home this week!! Well, I suppose technically it's this weekend, but still!!

That means one thing -- the lists have started of what to do this week before I leave, and my favorite list, what to pack!

I am literally so excited to be making that 17 hour drive. I am secretly thinking that this week might go really slow because I'm so ready for the weekend, but maybe it'll fly by since I have so much to get done! Here's a sneak peek at the start of the lists....

Yesterday, M and I worked to get his Christmas tree decorated. It looks AMAZING! So pretty and warm in his living room now. I also took it upon myself to decorate the antlers (that Mommacita gave him) over his TV.

I've been posting on my Facebook and Twitter every day something that I'm thankful for - starting Nov 1 and going through Thanksgiving day. Today, I'm thankful for the Life Church message I watched this morning.

Life Church is in a series called "those people." I watched the sermon on "those people that are manipulating and controlling" while getting ready for work. Even with the best intentions, sometimes people in our lives try to tell us what they think we should do. They use guilt, threats, etc. to convince you to do what they think is best. But, Pastor Craig urged us to realize that sometimes those people (with good intentions) are standing in the way of God's plan for us.

John told Jesus that he would never let death come to him - Jesus said, "Get behind me Satan." Craig told us to simply say that to any that control or manipulate us - kidding of course - but he pointed out that John was standing in the way of God's plan to give all of us salvation.

I'm a chronic people pleaser, but I am realizing that I need to be a God pleaser. After all, His opinion matters above all else. So, today I am thankful for the message I heard this morning, and fervently praying for the strength to stand up for what God is calling me to do.

As a side note, I have to share this pin that I saw on Pinterst. It couldn't apply more to my life!!

Live life glamorously - and according to God's will,
Elizabeth

National Nanny Day

While everyone is celebrating Veteran's Day and 11.11.11, I am celebrating National Nanny Day... So maybe it isn't an official holiday, but it should be.

Today is my Nanny's birthday!!

Without a doubt, Nanny helped shape me into the woman that I am. So many of my childhood memories have her in a co-starring role with my parents. She was at every dance competition with "Nanny's Black Bag" - to the untrained eye it was a normal bag, but to me, it held all of life's wonderful treasures - candy and Little Debbie Gingerbread Cookies.

My Nanny also exposed me to the wonders of the original Parent Trap, Escape to Witch Mountain and Pollyanna. She let me eat all the candy I wanted (hmmm, I'm beginning to understand why I have such a sweet tooth) - and I always shared my Skittles with her Dalmatian. He got the green, yellow and orange Skittles; I ate the red and purple. Nanny also introduced me to Cary Grant - and my oh my am I grateful for that!

I like to think of myself as a mini-me of my Nanny. Aside from our love of dance and Cary (yes, I pretend I'm on a first name basis), I have learned the importance of being there for family by watching her. She is a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother - my mom learned so much from her - and I've been fortunate enough to learn from both of them.

My Nanny means the world to me, and I feel so comforted every time I talk to her on the phone. There are certain phrases that I will always be able to hear my Nanny say, "I love you my darling." "Send them my love." "Now when are you coming home? Oklahoma has so many tornadoes." Haha, that last one makes me giggle so hard.

In closing, Happy Birthday Nanny! I'll see you in a week and a half!!

Live life glamorously,

Elizabeth

I have a confession...

I have a confession to make... I am a performer.

Not the secret you were expecting? To some of you this won't seem like a secret - at all! I started dancing when I was 3 and started doing plays and musicals in the 7th grade.

Perhaps I should clarify the secret - I am a performer in my core. It is who I am. I have always had a dramatic flair and enjoyed watching myself in a mirror. Now, before you judge my vanity, you must realize that dancers look at themselves in a mirror every moment of every day, unless they are on stage. It's ingrained in you.

Another secret, I turn on music when alone in my apartment, and I dance and sing - a mini-performance if you will.

While running at the gym last night, I realized that these performance qualities carries over to my running as well. I always choose the treadmill near the mirror - I do this so I can make sure the following isn't the case:

(pinterest)

I also have a tendency to "dance" while I run. Obviously my legs are otherwise engaged, so my arms and head do the dancing. Sometimes I wonder what the guy next to me is thinking. If I was next to me, I'd think this person is either a.) a horribly coordinated runner b.) about to fall off the treadmill c.) crazy... Let's just hope they are super duper smart and think, "oh she must be a former dancer and performer with that passion still in her." Hehe, highly doubtful.

Happy Thursday!
Live life glamorously,
Elizabeth

It's beginning to look a lot like...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my apartment -- I must admit that I think it's ok to start decorating for Christmas as soon as Halloween passes -- although, I think Christmas music should wait until after Thanksgiving. (Confession: I did download Amy Grant's "Tennessee Christmas" two weeks ago)

I love, love, LOVE Thanksgiving - it's my favorite time with my family, and I'll be home in NC in less than 2 weeks!! I give Mr. Turkey his day, but this is the Christmas season!

Last night while I was pulling out the ornaments for my "big" tree, I couldn't help but smile. I realized that unwrapping my ornaments is a lot like opening presents.

I had forgotten some of the new ornaments I bought at Crate & Barrel's after Christmas sale.

Here is the finished product!

The rest of my apartment is decked out in Christmas decor as well, but I don't want to post any more until Christmas. Mommacita and Papas are coming to OKC for Christmas this year, and I'm determined for it to be a great celebration, even if we aren't at "home." So the rest of my Christmas decor is a surprise for them!!

I've been pinning a lot of Christmas ideas - you can check out my board here - but beware, it might just get you in the mood to start decorating!!

Live life glamorously,
Elizabeth

Awkward Moments

Awkward moments... everyone has them. Some are worse than others.

- When you wave to a friend, and then you realize it's not who you thought it was.

- When you look in a mirror and wonder how many conversations you've had today with that piece of spinach stuck in your teeth.

- When you drop 1/4 of your bagel on the floor of the restaurant - cream cheese side down.
(that happened to me yesterday)

- When you can't remember someone's name, so you keep calling them "dude" or "girl" - "Oh hey girl! I haven't seen you in forever!" "So good to see you dude!"

- When you're texting about someone - but you accidentally type their name in the "to" - unfortunately, that's happened to me before - luckily, I wasn't texting something negative - serves me right!

I think the most awkward situation is when you pretend not to see someone - even though they are right in front of you - and sometimes are waving to get your attention.

It works out nicely when that person is trying to avoid you too - I found myself in a similar situation Friday night. What could have been extremely awkward was absolutely hilarious because we were both avoiding each other. Well, maybe I found it funny because I had just seen this on Pinterest, and I couldn't get it out of my head!

Live life - even the awkward moments - glamorously,
Elizabeth

Office Happy Hour

I had so much fun putting together our office happy hour on Monday at work.

Put an announcement on the marquee at the front of the office...



Hung these ADORABLE lanterns from Hobby Lobby...



Made a "treats" banner for our buffet table...



We had a potluck, so everyone brought items to share...



Check out the witches fingers - so creative!



And who doesn't love monkey bread?! Rounded out with some veggies, of course...



I couldn't help myself with these plates and snack boxes!



I had so much fun putting together this party and my co-workers seemed to really love it too. Is it Christmas yet?! Time for another party!

Live life glamorously,
Elizabeth