Goodies

While the boys were busy

switching light fixtures,

I was busy baking!

I made hot cocoa

and peppermint marshmellows

for some friends

and I must say,

they are delicious!!

I also made candied pecans,

and they are quite tasty as well.

The finished product ready for delivery!

Merry Christmas!

cmg

Busy Beggie

Blake has been dying for a new light fixture in the bathroom.

I told him

(my auto response to everything for the last 4 months)

"when school is out for break"...

so on the first weekend of his break

he was busy at work.

Just to make it more eventful,

he invited Matt over to help!

It was a bit tricker than just changing the light fixture

as the old on had a switch on it

and this one they had to wire a new switch...

scary!!

I was keeping my fingers crossed they didn't

a. kill themselves

b. burn the house down

I am happy to report,

they are both still alive and kicking,

the house is still standing

and the light and plugs work like a charm!!

Looks fantastic!

Then in typical boy fashion,

they decided they needed to switch out the thermostat!

The old one

the new digital one

Thanks for the help Matthew!

cmg

Grades are out

And we are pleased!!!

Yay, BEG!!

Merry Christmas for Our Family to Yours

Tis the Season

to be Jolly....

We have been super busy this past week

with Christmas parties;

thank goodness school is over for a few weeks!

It seems hard to believe that we

have only been in Lubbock since May.

We have been so blessed to have met some many

wonderful friends in such a short amount of time.

My attempt at a family picture infront of the tree!

(They were on to the self timer; didn't work too well this time!)

On Wednesday,

I went to an all girls gift exchange,

"Let's Get Elfed Up", ha!

I sadly didn't take any pictures

but I got away with a

pewter notepad with a pen,

cheese board, napkins and a spreader.

It was fun to visit with all the girls

and get the holiday season started!!

Thursday evening,

we headed to Ashley and Ryan Higley's

for a Holiday Supper.

It was so much fun

and we really enjoyed visiting with everyone there.

Back row: Matt Graves, BEG, Ryan, Joe Batista, Jake Hodges, Paul Houk and Dustin.

Front Row: CMG, Ashley, Shawna Batista, Holli Hodges, Brittney Houk and Danielle

And Rahja the cat

We left the Higley's about 10:15

and headed to Wild West for the SPE

(Society of Petroleum Engineers)

Christmas party.

It was so strange to be at the bar

in a college town

on a Thursday night!!

There were little drunk kids everywhere

and it was quite comical.

We didn't get home till 1:30am

so I've been dragging a bit today!

I'm too old to stay out so darn late

but Blake's international friends

we so fun to visit with

it was 1am before I knew it!!

Tonight,

we are headed to Double Nickel

to celebrate the end of the semester!!

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season

as much as we are!

cmg

That's a Wrap

One semester down.....

Only 5 to go!!!

I am so so so proud of BEG.

He did such a wonderful job adapting to being a student again.

I know (as a grad school dropout)

how difficult going back to school can be

so kudos to the husband.

I'm hoping the remaining 5 semesters

will be a little less stressful

but we are one step closer to

having our own

engineer

and couldn't be more proud of him!

We love you babe.

Thanks for all your hardwork!

cmg,

RHETT and george henry

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas....

And if we were spending Christmas in Lubbock

it looks like that dream might come true!

This is what we woke up to this morning:

george henry isn't too sure about the snow.

He went out in it for a bit

but then ran as fast as he could back inside

when new flurries started falling;

it was hysterical!

He spent the entire morning cleaning.

RHETT wasn't having any part of it

until Blake went to leave for class.

(I thought for a second I was going to have to

litter box train him as well

for the winter months!)

Then he ran out there

and didn't want to come back in.

He kept barking at me to come outside to play with him

and I kept explaining that is was WAY too cold for that.

After he ate the majority of the snow in the backyard,

he came back in

and has been sleeping ever since!

We've got chicken and dumplings in the crock pot,

peppermint ice cream in the ice cream maker,

only thing missing is a fireplace

and my sweet husband!

hope y'all are enjoying the cold weather as much as we are.

cmg

Day 30 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for

Dave Ramsey

and Financial Peace University.

Every month,

when Blake and I sit down to look at our finances

we are amazed by how much money

we have saved

because of FPU.

The first weekend of February will be our 1 year anniversary start date

and mid May will be our 1 year anniversary from graduation.

Thank you Dave Ramsey

for saving our life,

truly!

Yay for almost December,

cmg

Day 29 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for Nonna.

There is not one day of my life

that this lady has not been a part of.

She was there when Momma went into labor with me

and she was there when I came home from the hospital.

She listened to more highschool girl drama

then I'm sure she cared to hear,

she saw me off to college,

she cried when "the baby" got engaged,

she was on the second row when I got married!

Nonna has been with my family

2 weeks before my sister was born,

which will be 31 years

this February!

Doesn't matter how old I am,

whenever I have a question,

how to get a stain out of a shirt,

what's the difference between a sweet potato and a yam,

I call Nonna because

she ALWAYS knows the answer

(and it's a good excuse to call and talk to her!)

Nonna has gone full circle with our family.

She gave Rebecca her first bath

and probably would have done the same with Murphy

had Rebecca lived in Shreveport.

I don't know where my family would be without her.

She is a part of us

and always will be.

I love you, Nonna.

Catherine Lee

A Griswold's Christmas

A Griswold's Christmas.......

Blake's good friend Brent

owns a nursery in Abilene with his dad and brother.

They have beautiful Christmas trees

and he was so kind to let us have one;

only thing was we had to get it from Abilene to Lubbock.

On a typical day,

that probably wouldn't have been such a challenge.

However,

on this particular West Texas day

the wind was blowing about 50mph

so driving on the highway with a Christmas tree

strapped to the top was a bit dangerous for all of the other people on the road

and it was destroying my once perfect tree.

So about 20 minutes outside of Abilene,

we pulled over a shoved the 8 foot tree

(sans a bag, net, etc)

into the Tahoe along with

me, BEG, Jill, RHETT and george henry;

talk about a tight fit!

Good thing we all have a sense of humor

because it was ridiculous.

And I am further thankful

the drive is only 2.5 hours!

Happy Holidays!

cmg

Pets Thanksgiving

george henry and RHETT

very much enjoyed their Thanksgiving lunch.

gh got some ham

while RHETT got the ham bone

They were in heaven!!

cmg

Smores

We have really enjoyed ticking

items off the Fall Bucket List!

One of the last things on the list was to

cook smores.

So what did I do!

I logged onto to Amazon,

ordered a fire pit,

had BEG put it together

and

we made smores!!

Happy Fall Y'all!

CMG

Days 23-28

I know I've been MIA again

but we spent Thanksgiving this year in Abilene

and I was too busy being thankful to blog

so let me catch up!

Day 23: I am thankful for siblings.

Although, none of us live close it's always

good to be together.

Day 24: On Thanksgiving Day,

I am thankful for the blessing of my family,

blood, extended and in law.

Day 25: I am thankful for good friends.

Those you can call up after months of not talking

and pick up just where you left off.

Unfortuantley,

I no longer live close to any of my

"good" friends

but thank goodness for cell phones and the internet

so we can all keep up with eachother!!

Day 26: I am thankful for Christmas!!

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year

and I LOVE to decorate for Christmas

(and am on the verge of tears every year when Christmas decor must come down).

Day 27: I am thankful for new friends!

When we first moved to Lubbock

I was so sad to leave my friends behind in Shreveport

and was extremely anxious to be living somewhere where I knew no one.

But I have been so thankful to meet some wonderful girls

through Kappa, JL and other people.

Day 28: I am thankful for "Betsy".

Betsy is the Jeep Grand Cherokee I have had since

right after I got my drivers license.

Betsy has been a trooper through all that I've put her through;

ie. 160,000+ miles, 1 car wreck, multiple spills, etc.

Betsy has become quite pricey lately

but we are fixing her in hopes of keeping her around

through May 2014 (BEG's graduation date!)

Hope everyone had a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

cmg

Day 22 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for my job.

A job that allows me flexibility

and that I can work with my cute husband

(it is how we met afterall!)

I know everyone is looking forward to

Thanksgiving....

we sure are!

If you are traveling,

becareful.

But most importantly,

be sure and enjoy the time with family!!

cmg

Day 21 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for my precious nephew

Murphy,

although I never get to see him

because we live 16 hours apart.

I am looking forward to playing with him

while we are all in Shreveport for Christmas.

Happy Monday!

cmg

Days 14-20 of 30

Last week was absolute madness,

good madness

but madness none the less

hence why I am a solid week behind on my thankful post!

I was this year's

Arrangements Chairman

for Holiday Happening

here in Lubbock.

Holiday Happening is the

Junior League of Lubbocks

big fundraiser for Food2Kids.

Food2Kids

is a program that feeds over 900+ children

who would otherwise

go hungry over the weekend.

So in an attempt to catch up on my "thankful" post:

Day 14: I am thankful for the women of the JL Lubbock

who graciously volunteer their time and service

for the betterment of the community

Day 15: I am thankful for new friendships.

I got to know so many wonderful women

this last week and am just so thankful for girlfriends.

Day 16: I am thankful for patience.

Some lack patience

but thankfully the Lord gave me lots

and for that I am extremley grateful.

Day 17: I am thankful for music.

It is so refreshing and good for the soul.

Day 18: And because I am thankful for music

I guess I must first be thankful for my hearing!

I am reminded constantly about the simple things we take

foregranted and expect that are nothing short of a blessing

and something we need to know are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Day 19: I am thankful for decorations.

This time of year I decorate everything;

my poor husband, drives him nuts

but it makes me so so happy!

Day 20: I am thankful for my bed.

After 8 14 hour days of Holiday Happening

I had never been so happy to see my bed!

Hope everyone had a wonderful week!!

CMG

Day 13 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for

Honey Crisp apples.

If you haven't ever had one,

it will change your life....

and I am serious!

They are seasonal

and are only available in the fall

so don't wait....

go get some today!!

You will thank me,

cmg

Day 12 of 30

Yesterday

(I'm a day late),

I was thankful for great parents!

We have had such a wondeful weekend

with my parents here in Lubbock.

We went to 2 wonderful suppers,

a terrible football game,

visited with an old friend,

did lots of relaxing,

television watching

and just good ole visiting!

It was marvelous

(and for me, much needed).

I don't get to see them often enough

but when I do we have so much fun!

We haven't done anything blog worthy

and I LOVE it!

(especially since Milly is ALWAYS on the go if we are in Shreveport).

Milly and Gilbo,

thanks for the visit;

it was absolutley wonderful.

Come back anytime.

xoxo,

cat, blake, RHETT and geroge henry

Day 11 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for the men and women

who selfishly put their lives on the line for my freedom

and those who have lost their lives.

God bless you!

cmg

day 10 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for airplanes

b/c my parents are able to come and see me

so much easier!!!

About to go pick them up at the airport

and I am SO excited to see them!!!

Thank you airplane inventor!!!

(and pilots!)

Yay for Friday!

CMG

Day 9 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for the treadmill.

When it too cold or

in the case of living in West Texas

too windy,

I am still able to get a walk in.

So thank you,

thank you

to whoever invented the treadmill!

Happy Wednesday.

cmg

Day 8 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for my education

and my alma mater,

the University of Mississippi.

I learned so much from this wonderful place

and have met some life long friends.

This place holds many special memories

that I will cherish forever.

Hotty Toddy!

CMG

Day 7 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for sunshine!

As we are entering into the winter months

here on the Caprock

I am savoring the sunshine and warmer weather

while it's still around.

CMG

Day 6 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for

the health of me and my family.

I am learning the older I get

that my health

is in my control

and in God's control.

I've heard and read so many stories lately

of people my age

getting very ill with cancer,

some recovering, some not.

It is heartbreaking

but a constant reminder to live in the moment

and enjoy every second of life

because you never know when it might throw you a curve ball.

So I have chosen to take full responsibility for what I can control

and live as healthy as possible.

I thank God everyday for my health

because it is a gift!

Hope everyone enjoyed the extra hour of sleep!!

CMG

Day 5 of 30

On Day 5,

I am thankful for college football;

particularly

the SEC,

and more particularly

my Ole Miss Rebels!

(although we are painfully terrible)

in the Grove

Death Valley

LSU Tigers

Neyland Stadium

Tennessee Volunteers

Today is one of the biggest days

in SEC football.

#1 LSU vs #2 Alabama

in Tuscaloosa.

It's like the National Championship came early.

Today only,

Roll Tide.

Hotty Toddy,

CMG

Apple Orchard

Today,

we checked another thing off of our fall bucket list.

We headed out to the Apple Orchard

after Blake's last class at 4pm.

It's located about 20 minutes

east of Lubbock

and was such a neat little place;

we will definitely be going back!

They have a big calendar of which apples

are picked and when

so you can decide based upon what type of apple you want

when you want to go and pick.

Blake with our bucket

ready to fill it up

but too bad the drought

kept the apples ridiculously tiny this year

picking "a winner"

another tiny apple

This place also has a full garden

so we picked up some fresh okra,

jalapenos

and freshly made apple turnovers!

We also noticed while there

that they serve lunch daily

and the Friday special is

Chicken and Dumplins,

yummy!

We will definitely be going to try those out soon!

Hopefully,

Lubbock will get some good rain

this next spring

and we will have to try the apple orchard again

when the apples are an eatable size.

Happy weekend!

CMG

Day 4 of 30

Today I am thankful for our church

here in Lubbock.

To be quite honest,

it's never a church that Blake and I ever saw ourselves attending.

There's a full band (that is very loud) -

it's like a rock concert,

the pastor wears tshirts

(as does everyone who attends),

there is quite a bit of hand raising

and it's a bit more Baptist then any church we've ever attended.

But once we finally put the "hangups" behind us

we have learned so much and continue to every week.

The pastor is amazing!

Just a 28 year old guy

who is so passionate about the Lord

and sharing his love with others.

I am so thankful today and everyday

that we found this church when we moved.

So glad it's Friday.

Hope everyone has a good, relaxing weekend.

CMG

Day 3 of 30

Today,

I am thankful for our home(s).

The one we own

(in Shreveport)

Although, I should probably be more thankful for the renters

than the actual house at this point, ha!

and the one we rent

(in Lubbock)

I am so thankful

to have a warm place to lay my head down at night.

To feel safe.

To be comfortable.

To call home.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

CMG

Day 2 of 30

On Day 2,

I am thankful for the fur in my life!

They both shed like CRAZY

are a little honory sometimes

but are the best little friends/protectors in the world!

(to each other and their momma)

So today I am not only thankful for

RHETT and george henry

but all the furry friends in my life,

past and present and future.

Happy Wednesday!

CMG