Ridin' Dirty

Tag man here! Mom has been hoggin' the bloggin' but not tonight. She is glued to the weather channel like a nerd to a chess board. Oh wait that's her too. I don't know what her obsession with chess and backgammon is lately. Nerd. This weather channel is starting to get on my nerves. I think I feel the same way about this, as Mom feels about Dad watching the outdoor channel or football.

Hellooooo, cute puppy here that loves to play fetch and you're going to play games?

Whatever. Anyway while she is "busy" I decided that I will share what has been going on around here. Nothing much of anything actually. Okay there was a kitty cat that was hanging around and I was really starting to like her. Mom and Dad did not. She is my excuse not to use the bathroom outside, because you know, I'd rather play with her. 

Today mom drove me to the vet. She let me sit shot gun. But I was in my cage so that ruined the cool factor. I like to walk around the car and puke a bunch of times because I get car sick. She apparently does not like that. At the vet I got a shot (OUCH) and then she got some 'medicine' to help with car sickness because tomorrow.... we are going to MISSOURI! I saw mom packing up my sweaters so I'm guessing it's going to be a wee bit cold. I'm just 4 lb 6 oz of fun and I'm ready to ride. Yes I weight that much. Don't make fat jokes mom and dad have beat you to it. I guess I don't get any more Cheetos. 

Friday and Saturday we are going to a different city. I get to meet Uncle Jake, Uncle Brandon, and Aunt Karla along with some of mommy's best friends. To me this means I will get LOTS of loving. Then they are going to leave me with my uncles while they go to a wedding and I've heard good things about the dudes. Pretty sure we are going to par-tay. Or they are going to party, I'll just be cute and cuddly and snooze. They should know I'm a chick magnet so if they are trying to impress the ladies invite them over Saturday. I'll be your wing dog. It's a thing. Look it up.

Well, it's time to go chew a bone, lick myself, or beg for some Cheetos. My life rules.

Tag.

Nothing Important

Ugh, today I'm a bit under the weather. Right before bed I got sick and today I decided I just need to relax on the couch until I feel better. Of course I have several things I want to be doing like sewing, helping paint our new shed, or getting ready for our fall festival at church, but I just don't feel up to it. Yesterday we had chicken noodle soup for dinner and I joked that if I ever get sick they have to make it for me. Way to jinx yourself Lauren, today I'm having soup again.

Brandon says I could pull off Tina Fey. What do you think?  I've been told before that I sound exactly like Sarah Palin. I guess if I cut some bangs and put in a french twist my Halloween costume is finished. I think maybe that would have been a better costume for 2008. Missed the boat on that one.

My dog, oh my dog. I think he needs to post here again soon. It's been awhile and I know he loves it. For now he is loving his new clothes and toy box. 

The other night I wanted to learn to play chess. I've played before but it's been a long time. Brandon gave me a quick refresher lesson and whooped my tail. I hope we can make this a regular thing. The chess playing, not the tail whooping.

Finally, I've been trying to keep our house a little more organized than usual. I got out some decorations the other night and tried to homey it up. I am kinda loving it and hopefully we can get our spare room cleaned and organized and into the storage shed before it's time to decorate for Christmas. 

That's all I've got. Time for some more soup and a nap to get back up to par. I'm beyond excited to be traveling to Missouri TUESDAY to see all my favorite people and celebrate one of my dear friends getting married. Seriously so excited to see my family and friends. 

LD

Up In The Air

Sometimes I end up in situations where I stop and wonder how I ended up there. For example, this past weekend we went flying in a little bitty plane over the local area. Our dear friend who sang in our wedding parents used to own a plane. Then they sold it back to the man they bought it from but throughout the years they have always let each other borrow it. Our friend was needing aerial photos of their church and the day she was supposed to go was too windy. She called Brandon and I and asked us if we wanted to go. 

I tried to surprise Brandon and tell him it was a little gift for our anniversary that is coming up in about two weeks, because I have no clue what to get the man. He weaseled it out of me like always and changed his hunting plans for the next day. It ended up being the best weekend we've had in a long time. 

I've told you before we live really close to his Grandmother and parent's and now you can get a better idea of what I mean. One big happy country living family. 

From where I stand. 

The world is so big yet so small.

Afternoon movies are the best.

Pumpkins aren't as easy to glitter up as I thought.

Dishes are endless.

Mexican food always hits the spot.

Falling asleep on the couch is all its cracked up to be. 

Have a great week. 

LD

Linking up with Mallorie.

An Alabama Fall

I have NOTHING in our home that represents fall or Halloween. It's a bit depressing but I'm hoping to change that this weekend maybe some glitter and some pumpkins can fix that. Brandon and his dad have been building us a shed. This means we will be transforming our storage room back into the guest room. I already feel a huge relief for when we can get stuff put away. Little trips to take them sweet tea have let me get some fresh air and let Mr. Tag run off some energy. Any pecan pie lovers out there? This is where they start, the pecan tree out back. 

Lauren

Also....if you know how to remove the white border around my photos I would greatly appreciate it if you inform me how, thank you.

From Where I Stand

From where I stand..I do NOT consider myself stylish or fashionable. I wear what's comfy to me. The only time I put on clothes that aren't my favorite yoga pants is to go to church on Sundays. Even during the week when I run to the grocery store or to run errands it usually goes as far as jeans and a t-shirt. 

I spend way to much time on Pinterest swooning over all the amazing outfits wanting to go shopping all the time to get new clothes. Clothes that I don't need to buy and money I don't have to spend. I have a closet with plenty of clothes, although yes some of it is outdated but it's full and if I try a littler harder I can piece together some outfits.

I've said before that I'd rather spend money on fabric than go shopping. So the other day as I was sewing I decided to try my hand at making another skirt. A skirt that wasn't a ten minute maxi or out of jersey knit. So I began with no pattern but an idea in mind. It didn't end well at almost two in the morning. I had worked so hard and then sewing on the waistband went all wrong at the very end. I threw it aside adding it to my projects-that-didn't-work stack and went to bed.

A few days later, I pulled it back out and got the seam ripper. After 20 minutes of ripping out stitches I re-assembled my skirt into something I can wear. Then I dug through my closet to find a top or two to pair with my new skirt and wa-lah, a new outfit was born.

I wore my new skirt Sunday and during Sunday school I had a conversation with another women about things. Literally things, like clothes, houses, cars, money, etc. Then she said something that I probably won't forget .

"It doesn't matter if you wear Armani or thrift store finds, your spirit will show through no matter what." 

She said exactly what I needed to hear. Things of this earth can be taken and destroyed but my spirit, my feelings, my actions, my words, and how I make others feel are what people will remember.

Lauren

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Linking up here and here.

The Truth About Nascar

First things first, if you didn't watch that video you should so stop reading and click the play button.

Sunday we went to Talladega, AL for my very first ever Nascar experience. I LOVED it. The only experience I've had before featured Will Ferrell and John C. Riley, you know the one. 

Raelynn belted out the National Anthem.
My favorite part was when the Big Rig comes flying down the track with the American Flag. I got chills and almost started crying it was so awesome. 

Kevin James was the Grand Marshal and announced the engine start. 

Tony Stewart caused the big one. Watch here.

I was scared for the wives.

We ate the best fried pickles.

Enjoyed the chilly race.

And jammed to Florida Georgia Line the whole way home.

I could get used to NASCAR! 

Oh Just Some Things

Let's chat a minute. Right now, I'm snuggled on the couch in my new favorite NASCAR sweatshirt as my freshly bathed pup sleeps beside me. I just made a hot cup of my favorite pumpkin coffee. I have on game 2 of the Cardinals/Washington battle of the NLDS. My other half is gone helping coach a little league game and I find myself extremely grateful for this evening and its simplicity, it's normalcy. 

As more time passes that we are home, the more like a normal marriage I feel we have. This past week we hung pictures in our living room. Most of them were gifts for our wedding which was nearly a year ago, finally some progress. Saturday morning we headed to the flea market, then napped all afternoon and I made a junky meal of macaroni and hot wings and we watched Avengers. Sunday we normally head to church, but this week we headed to my very first NASCAR race and I will tell you I fell in love. It's not like any other sporting event and I'll share more on that this week at some point. 

I felt guilty all weekend about never reopening shop like I said I would on Friday. I am starting to let that guilt slip away. Some how each time I feel ready to try again to make my handmade business work, I get feelings of doubt. I question myself and if I have what it takes to do all of it on my own. The sewing I can do. I can package and ship items. I can even photograph them and list them online. But doing it all is extremely challenging. 

CARDS WIN! The Voice it is. Man I love this show. 

Back to what I was saying. It's hard work and I'm the one to have to do it. For right now, again like I've said before, maybe online selling is not for me. Even though I always think I can do it and talk myself into it, it just never feels right. With Christmas right around the corner there are several local holiday boutiques and I feel like that is where I should spend focus my time. I just hope you all know that if you ever want or need something you've seen before, don't hesitate to ask. 

Finally, our pup. Words can't describe my little fur ball best friend. I flipping LOVE him! I tell him several times a day and I always find myself asking Brandon if he thinks Tag knows how much we love him. I sure hope he knows. I love that he follows me everywhere and even helps with laundry. I prayed for this little guy. As we were searching for a puppy I remember asking for the perfect little dog for our family and I'm positive he is our answered prayer. 

That's all my friends. Check back for thoughts and pictures on Talladega! 

Welcome October

My favorite month is here and we are already four days in. Can we slow it down please? 

There are several things I love about living in the country, my favorite being the quiet. Our pup has allowed me to experience these things in full. Late at night before bed I take him out and get to see the bright stars and open sky. Then early dewy mornings follow with the sunrise and I think I like those equally as much. 

Speaking of country, there is a chance that we will be heading off  to another country next season to play ball. See what I did there? It's a little nerve wracking at the moment but we won't know anything probably for the next month or so. I never ever thought I'd be moving to a foreign country for part of a year but I guess anything is possible. Depending on where we go I could also have the chance to teach English. Um...I picture it going like this. I hold a cup and say cup. Then maybe a book and say book. Hopefully because lets admit, my grammar around here probably ain't so good. What an experience that will be! 

I don't know if it's bad to talk about these things before they happen, but I'm the kinda person that just needs it out there so it isn't huge jaw dropping news the day I say, "Hey we are moving to Japan or Korea." If we go, we go. If we stay, we stay. Just gotta roll with the punches even if that means getting punched out of the country.

So in the meantime, I'll enjoy my American mornings, in the country, in the quiet, while I got them.

Lauren

Nappy Roots

Can I tell you all a little secret about our dog?

Did you know dogs can have roots like this? I didn't but it makes me giggle everytime I see them. 

Sometimes I part his hair down the middle of his back and he looks super preppy. Maybe I will grease him down with a part, make him some glasses and a tie, and he can be a nerd for halloween.

Anyway I've just been wanting to share that with you. 

Lauren

Don't forget if your interested in purchasing an apron they will be available Friday. 

See how you can get a discount code here.

On Sale Friday & Discount Code

I never intended to offer the aprons I've been sewing for sale. I was making them for purposes of my own. Somewhere along the way, and with the positive feedback from my wonderful Instagram friends, I have decided to make them available for purchase. I take pride in making quality products to share with others. I have worked hard to create an apron that is practical and fashionable. I am delighted with the way the aprons have turned out and I hope that if you decide to purchase an apron you will be too.

Aprons will range between $26-$30 shipping included. They can be the perfect pick me up for yourself this baking season, a great gift for the ladies in your life, or the perfect hostess gift this holiday season.

In addition, I would like to offer a discount code if you help spread the word through Friday. All you have to do is tweet and mention @larnlevy and I will then DM you a discount code. Or you can use Facebook to mention my page or a link to this post and I will send you the discount code.

Thank you all in advance for the awesome support. Feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions you may have. 

Lauren