A Thanksgiving Vlog

So, Faith finally broke me down and got me to do a vlog.  This was a bit challenging to do - I couldn't get my sound to work, so it just ended up like a video on mute.  Pair that with being completely uncomfortable, I was ready to give up.  Then, Melissa came to my rescue and told me exactly how to make a video.  Have I mentioned that computer things are not my forte?

I love watching other bloggers vlog - it makes me feel like I know them a little better.  You can see their mannerisms, hear their voice, and it seems like they are talking directly to you.  So I thought, "why not?"  I'll try anything once!

So here I am - a Golden Vlog all about Thanksgiving!

Halloween, According to My Husband

Tim and I had so much fun with our last Blogger Men Tell All, we had to join for this month's link up too.  (Ok, I had fun interviewing him, he just played along!)

This month is all about Halloween.  I really hope he shares with you his costume from junior year of college...

Ok, are you ready?
Um, sure. 

Is Halloween your favorite holiday? If not, what is?
No.  Christmas.  Time with family and holiday cocktails.

What do you plan on dressing up as for Halloween this year?
Nothing.  Is that ok to say?

What is your go-to drink (alcoholic, non-alcoholic)?
At home? White Russian.

4. What’s your favorite scary movie?
Ooooh.  Hmmm.  That's kind of a hard one.  (mumbles to himself).  Yea, Halloween I guess.

What is your best Halloween memory?
Dressing up as "Towelie" in college.  It was the best costume ever.  And, we had a ton of fun at Halloween parties and won a few contests too.  (Yes, from South Park):

source

So there you have it.  The inner thoughts of my other half.  Apparently, Towelie was a big hit in Iowa City that year.  We weren't dating then.... but I'm sure I would have been proud.

Linking up with Becca, Samantha and Melissa.

Currently... Round Two

It's been awhile since I've done a Currently post.  Whenever another blogger posts one of these, they are the first I read.  I love getting a small glimpse in to their lives.  Creepy?  Maybe, but it makes me feel like I really know them.

Reading: The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult.  I love all of her books, and this one has not disappointed.  I need to kick up my reading if I'm going to get through all 20 books on my 101 in 1001 list!

Writing: In my last Currently post, I said I was working on a series.  This is still true - I just hit some major writer's block.  I also write every day for work, so I have a lot of writing going on!

Listening: To Sunday Night Football - not by choice.  Football rules our home on Sundays.

Thinking: About Christmas, more specifically, Christmas shopping.  I love giving gifts and already have my lists made.

Wishing: It wasn't getting cold.  I thrive on extreme temperatures - really hot or really cold.  This in between business is not my favorite.  Snow already!

Hoping: That we have a great time at the pumpkin patch this weekend.  Ever since E was a baby, it's been a tradition to go with my sister and her now husband.  I hope the girls cooperate and we have a good time!

Loving:  That my husband bought cowboy boots this week while in Texas for work!  He usually goes once a month, and has been talking about getting some for years.  He finally came home this time with some.  And I'm loving it.

Wanting: Still wanting a house.  And a Diet Coke.  But since I can't have either, I'd love some ankle boots.  I'm still on the hunt for the perfect pair.

Needing:  E to feel better.  A trip to Urgent Care Saturday gave us chest xrays, a little girl that wouldn't wear the required face mask, two hours of waiting, and finally some cough medicine and an antibiotic.  I also need A to not catch this yuck!

Eating/Drinking: Tim is making a frozen Home Run Inn pizza - if you've never had it, you are missing out.  I'm drinking water with my Lemon essential oil.

Today is Grateful Heart Monday.  Today I'm grateful for good friends.  Tim was gone for work and my good friend stayed with A so I could take E to get checked out.  She stayed for three hours - with her own daughter - so I wouldn't have to take A and risk her getting sick at Urgent Care.  I've said it before, and I'll say it always - good friends are one of life's biggest blessings.

What are you grateful for?

He Blogs! Round 2.

My husband is a story teller.  He loves to talk, meet new people, find common interests - he's a people person through and through.  One of my very first posts was He Blogs!, where I asked Tim some random questions and shared his very random answers.

Last week, Becca shared her new link-up - "Blogger Men Tell All", and I knew this was the perfect time to interview Tim again.  It just so happens that Amanda has a link-up, "Conversations" that this fits perfectly with as well.  So, let's get to it!

Ok, are you ready?
Sure.

If you had a blog, what would you call it, and what would it be about?
(long, long pause).  Hmmmm.  Probably "Being Married with Kids and Still Being Able to Go Golfing".  So, "Golfing".  And it would be about golfing.

If you could live inside any video game, which would it be?
(strange look).  NHL 2014. 

Who is your best player on your fantasy football team this season?
Team #1: Probably Antonio Brown
Team #2: Antonio Brown
Team #3: Kelvin Benjamin
(I should note that this means nothing to me!)

Two more questions, ok?
That's it?!

If you could play for any professional sports team, which one would it be?
Probably the Dallas Mavericks because Mark Cuban takes good care of his team.

What do you typically do with an hour of free time?
With just an hour?  I guess housework.  Is that what wives like to hear?

So there you have it.  I should mention that this took entirely too long, as I mistakenly asked him to participate during Monday Night Football.  With the three teams mentioned above, I don't hear much from him Sundays-Mondays.  I won't complain as long as he wins!

Thank you to everyone who entered my 100th Post Giveaway!  The winner chose an Amazon giftcard.  Happy Tuesday friends!

Seriously, Sarah?

Today I'd like you to meet a blogger I recently found - Sarah at Seriously Sarah?  One of the first things that drew me in was Sarah's weight loss journey.  We connected on MyFitnessPal, and she's been an inspiration ever since - logging in several days in a row, always losing weight and working out!  Sarah lives with Cervical Dystonia but doesn't let that stop her from enjoying life.  Read a little more about her, Q&A style and be sure to check her out!

1. What is your favorite room in your house? Why?

I love my bedroom. It was all mine before I got married, but it's still mostly mine. We went with more gender-neurtral decor, but it still has my clothes and makeup everywhere. It's where I go to read, watch a little Netflix, or just cuddle with my dogs!
 

2. What is your earliest memory?

I don't remember my mom being pregnant with my little brother at all, but I do remember her telling me that when the baby came, I had to move out of my bedroom and down the hall. It was pretty traumatic, I guess. All of my earliest memories surround the birth of my brother (who gets married in July!!!)

 

3. What is your favorite meal, of all time?

I will never say no to Shrimp & Grits. Or a Low Country Boil. Basically shrimp is my favorite!

 

4. What is your drink of choice - alcoholic or non?

I love Le Croix's Coconut flavored water. It tastes like summer!

 

5. What would you spend $1,000,000 on - besides paying off debt or buying a home?

I would go back to school, for sure. I would have a job that I enjoyed, no matter how little it paid.

 

6. Why did you start blogging?

I love to write, and I was already reading a lot of blogs. My husband, who has experience in designing websites, encouraged me to start one. Without his help, I don't think I ever could have gotten it set up!

 

7. What is your must-have beauty item?

Blush. I think that a bright pink blush just brightens up my face, no matter what other make up I am wearing. Currently, I love Tarte's blush in Adored.

 

8. Which store would you max out your credit card at? What would you buy?

Probably Macy's. They have everything from dresses to shoes and purses!

 

9. Who is your favorite celebrity couple?

I don't really know any celebrity couples, to be honest. I really like what I read about Kaley Cuoco and her new husband because when you know, you know!

10. What is your favorite reality tv show?

I haven't watched reality TV in years, but there was that show that Anderson Cooper hosted many years ago where there was a mole among the contestants and they were supposed to figure out who the mole was. I loved that!


Be sure to check out Sarah here - and check out my Q&A on her blog today!:
Bloglovin / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Goodreads

A Little Love

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you were able to celebrate the mom's, grandma's and other special women in your lives yesterday.  My Mother's Day was pretty great - now that E is a little older, she sort of understands it.  Yesterday was full of "I love you", "Happy Mother's Day", and "You are a great mom!".  Melted my heart.  She, along with A, gave me this:

Yep, I cried a little!



In honor of the little love that made me a mom, today I am sharing E's Birthday Interview.  {source - layers-of-learning.com}.  I have been waiting for her to be old enough to actually answer the questions.  My plan is to do this each year - I think it will be so fun to watch how her answers change.  I'll also do this with A once she is old enough - I'm sure their answers will be so, so different!

What is your favorite color?
Orange

What's your favorite television show?
Team Umizoomi

What sport do you like the best?
I don't like any sports

Who is your best friend?
Momma, and Teagan, and Kaytlyn

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A puppy (we might need to rethink that)

What is your favorite book?
Dora at the Beach

What are you really good at?
Sports (hmmm I thought she didn't like any sports?)

Where do you wish you could go on vacation?
McDonald's (dream bigger sweetheart!)

What is your best memory?
Playing games with Daddy

What would you buy if you had $1000?
Toys for Charlie (girl loves her pup!)

What vegetable do you dislike the most?
Green ones

If you could have a wish, what would it be?
Lots of bubbles

Who is your biggest hero?
Firefighters

Today I'm linking up with Emily from Ember Grey for Grateful Heart Monday.  Today (and everyday) I'm grateful for my babies that made my day so special yesterday.  They have taught me how to fully love, how to be patient, and to live each day with a happy heart.

What are you grateful for today?

He Blogs!

I recently found Amanda's blog, Notes from a Newlywed.  One of the first posts I read was an interview that she did with her husband.  I laughed the whole way through and thought two things - 1) this is a great idea, and 2) no way I could get my husband to do this.  Well friends... he caved.  I used some of Amanda's questions and added some others.  Enjoy :)

Me: What is the name of my blog?
Him: (long pause) All the Joys

Me: What do I typically write about?
Him: free shit people send you, and other blogs

Me: What’s a popular fashion item for women right now?
Him: (laughs) What are you typing?  I haven't said anything.  Accessory?  Hmmm... Tory Burch flats - is that an accessory?

Me: Why do women go to out for Girls Night?
Him: to complain about their husbands.  Can you get me a beer?

Me: What are you thoughts on Pinterest?
Him:  Sometimes strikes, sometimes gutters.

Me: If you could have any job what would it be?
Him: Bullpen catcher

Me: What’s the best gift to give a woman?
Him: flowers, jewelry, a baby.

Me: What does YOLO stand for?
Him: YOLO? (confused look) Y-O-L-O?  I have no idea.

Me: What is our favorite thing to do together?
Him:  Travel

Me: What do I do when I’m home alone?
Him: (smiles) Sleep I guess

Me: And what do you do when you’re home alone?
Him: Uhh watch tv.

Me: What is my favorite activity?
Him: Blogging.

Me: What do women keep in their purse?
Him: What kind of woman? Everything. Anything that will fit.  So you can't find anything that you need.  My beer is empty.

Me: What’s my favorite accessory?
Him: Not jewelry. Your scarf that you wear all the time.  That one scarf.

Me: What’s an acceptable amount to spend on a pair of shoes?
Him: Depends how often you are going to wear them.  Couple hundred bucks?

Me: What is your favorite trait about me, not physical?
Him: How good you are with the girls.  So, caring. 

Me: What’s my favorite TV show?
Him: Your favorite tv show?  Bachelor.  Or do you want one that's on now?  Real Housewives of anywhere.

Me: Who is a current celebrity “it” couple?
Him: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Lucky!

Me: What celebrity would play you in a movie?
Him: (smiles) Seth Rogan

Me: Whats your favorite memory of our relationship?
Him: Hmmmm... That's a long time.  Seeing you hold our babies for the first time.

Me: Anything else you’d like to say?
Him: My beer is still empty.

So there you have it.  Also, it's pretty clear that I might have bribed him with beer. YOLO!

Our wedding day - still makes me laugh 7 years later!