Success!!!

Luke and I purchased our first couch yesterday. I'm oh so excited! I've been scouring the local stores for a week or three, and online for months now. I've decided that I just can't buy a couch online...I need to sit in it, and see it in person. When I checked out our couch online after visiting it in the store; I was so shocked to notice how different the colors and fabric looked online.

With our current lifestyle of moving all of the time we had very specific request and items we were looking for in a couch.
1. We wanted a sectional (but it had to break down into at least three pieces...in order for it to fit into any room we may come upon, we also wanted to be able to take a single piece and place it in a bedroom as a chair if we needed the couch to be smaller, so we liked the idea of a raised sectional so that additional piece didn't look like an extra piece of a couch, but more like a chair).
2. We wanted it to have extra features like a sleeper or recliner (but turns out you can't have number one while also getting number two... due to the raised part--so we choose number 1).
3. We needed a very neutral color (we never know what flooring or wall colors the next house will hold)
4. This should probably be number one, but we wanted it to be really comfy with deep seats (but not so deep it swallows you up, and you find it hard to get out of).

So without further adieu...

This is the floor model, but the factory is shipping us the same color

A little closer look

What the same color looks like on the internet--it's also missing the single piece.

So...I do realize you probably think we are CRAZY to buy a couch this light, and Luke and I said no way at first too. But Lazy Boy told us about this product that coats each thread within the fabric to protect it. If we ever spill anything that we can't get out...we call this 800 number and they send someone to get the stain out (free of charge). If that person cannot get the stain out...they give us a full refund of our money. So...only with a warranty like that would I agree to this color. It's actually a lot more khaki than it appears in these photos. The warranty also covers any tears or cuts, etc...
The cute pillows come with the couch too.

Finally I must mention that Luke also got something yesterday! He now owns his own man chair! A Lazy Boy recliner.

I'm not sure if this is the exact chair, but it looks similar to this one!!

Cheers to being grown ups and buying furniture.

This and That

Wedding season is going strong! Our weekends have consisted of weddings, while our weekdays are packed with work and couch hunting! 

I'm not going into major details about the wedding weekends (since they could each justify an entire BIG blog). I'll just post mainly pics and tell you they were both lovely!! The first wedding was in Chattanooga and the second in Nashville.

The beautiful bride Lindsey with Luke and Scott (aka: Awesome Auburn Water Skiers)

I loved the flowers so much I took some home!

Scott and Mallory are Auburn friends we hooked up with to play frisbee golf Saturday morning. I've never in my  life seen so much poison ivy in one place. Luckily...nobody carried it home with them.


In sad news...on our way home from Chatanooga I wanted to stop and grab a bite to each for lunch. We came upon the Ringold exit between ATL and Chattanooga and thought it had what we were looking for. Come to find out...the entire Ringold exit had been whipped of the map with the same tornado that hit Tuscaloosa. Luke and I drove around a bit with our jaws on the floor. The destruction was unthinkable and so sad to see. Please don't forget that the victims and families still need prayers their way. Here are two pictures we took of what was the exit.

I know this isn't a family home, but it shows the magnitude well!

Nothing but rubble in every direction.

Now to finish with happy news! The Nashville wedding of Matt and Shannon.

Matt the groom in middle

The lovely bride Shannon

Scott and Mallory attended this wedding too! Watch out for our awesome dance moves!

Luke and some of his best buds

Oh...and I hope to finally purchase a couch tonight!!! I've been looking for a while now, and hope tonight we'll pull the purchase trigger. I'll post pics tomorrow if it's a go. FINGERS CROSSED!

A Day In The Country

This weekend we joined friends for A DAY IN THE COUNTRY. It's a concert that comes to town once and year and showcases great country artist. Luke's co-worker lives on the river and pretty close to the event, so we drove down via boat to check it out.
We had a great time, but I guess I didn't realize how country/redneck Augusta can be!!
Maybe growing up I just didn't notice because it was my norm. I attended the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in High School and thought nothing of it. Funny how you step away and come back to realize a whole new side or look at your hometown. I've had a lot of new looks at my old town, and enjoy the gained perspective. I guess this moving around the country thing really is pretty neat.
As for moving around the country...I will say we've been slated for Newnan, Georgia next. I'm trying not to believe it 100%, but let's just say I have already made my list of homes to tour in the area when we visit.
This weekend starts wedding crazy for us, so I'll have lots of blog pics to come.
 Happy Cinco De Mayo!! 

Lately

Luke and I have been busy socializing a lot recently, and taking zero pictures of it all. We have been happy to get out and enjoy the company of others since Augusta is a lot bigger than Carlsbad.
Also, Luke's company has hired me again to help out on the Augusta job. I'm just working part time, but very happy to have something going on. People kind of look at me with disgust when I mention I'm a housewife with no kids.
Easter was great this past weekend at the farm. Almost all of Luke's family was in tow, and we enjoyed seeing everyone. I also re-created a New Mexican dish for everyone on Friday night that was a HUGE HIT. I really shouldn't give away the recipe ( I should sell it for millions! Ha!) It really is super good though, so try it out some time.

POT ROAST ENCHILADAS
Slow cook pot roast in your crock pot over night
Mix together: 8 oz. of cream cheese (softened), 1 T of taco season, 1 small onion chopped, two of the little cans of diced green chilies, 1 can of stewed tomatoes (do not drain, but dice up into small bits), and the pot roast (should break apart easily into small shreds, cut up any large chunks).
Spread mixture into flour tortillas and roll up into a greased 9x13 pan.
Sprinkle cheese over top or red sauce if you prefer (we just placed salsa on the table for those who wanted it, and went without the red sauce).
Finally cook on 350 for 30 mins.
Luke fried eggs on the spot for some that wanted that additional element to eat on top on their enchilada! It was fun to make for everyone and I highly recommend it for your next gathering. It serves a lot of people easily.

The crew at Easter:

Farm Horses

I had a slight fishing dry spell! I only caught two bass over the weekend.

A Traditional Unlike Any Other!

The MASTERS!!!
So much of growing up in Augusta is centered around the Masters! The whole town spring cleans, and readies their houses for guest from all over the world. My family has always stayed in town for Masters week and attended the tournament.
I have so many wonderful memories growing up walking that course, and love now sharing the wonderful experience with Luke. It really is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Some of my favorite Master memories are:

• The sweet smell of cigars
• The AMAZING FOOD!!! This year I ate my body weight in pimento, egg salad, and chicken sandwiches. 
• Sitting on the 2nd green in the morning
• Sitting on 15, 16, or the hill at 6 in the afternoon
• Receiving lots of balls from golfers as a little girl 
• Receiving a ball from Ian Poulter (in my college years) after shooting flirty glances during the par 3
• Stalking Scott Wolf (from party of five) in my neighborhood for nine holes of golf (and getting his autograph)
• Running late in the neighborhood when Tiger Woods ran right pass me
• Watching Michael Jordan play golf in my back yard

The buzz in Augusta during Master's week and everything about the Masters truly is an experience and tradition unlike any other! Here are some photos we took this year on Tuesday.

Yummy Moon Pies are a must!!

The grass is pretty amazing! You wouldn't know a huge storm hit the night before!

Famous 13th Green in Amen Corner

Luke has a funny love for the 10th hole!

18th Bunker

It was super windy while we were out

I wish my stroke was half as pretty as these guys

Hope Dustin does well this week--he can kill the ball!

Tiger was nailing the puts on the practice green

Ready, Set, GO!!!

We made it into Augusta on Saturday after a nice road trip believe it or not. Before I cover the road trip and all the craziness as of yet, I will say it was bittersweet to have our house all moved out, and saying goodbye to our sweet neighbors. Here is a picture of all our neighbors out with us one last time.

Our Great Carlsbad Neighbors

We drove 11 hours on Thursday to arrive into Houston. Funny thing is...we forgot the final 4 was in Houston too. Our hotel was smack in the middle of all the action. I didn't know this before, but every NCAA basketball coach in the country attends the final four games. While they are in town they attend conference meetings and events. So...turns out all of the coaches were staying in the same hotel as us.
We had a great friend come visit us in the hotel lobby bar. We decided we didn't need to go anywhere since our lobby alone had over 300 people. We left the lobby around 12:15 that night, and it was still packed out. I guess coaches know how to throw down.
After Houston we headed to Creola, Alabama (just outside of Mobile) to stay with friends. We had a great time at dinner and playing games that night. The next morning we started our last leg of the journey. We built in some pit stops this day, so it took a bit longer. We ate lunch in Auburn at one of my favorite places. It's tough to pick a favorite place in Auburn, but the Amsterdam's turkey wrap with sweet potato chips is down right AMAZING! We also had to visit the sad Toomer's trees. They don't look very good, but I was glad to see them at least one last time before they die. I just love Auburn (as if you didn't already know)...Just pulling into Auburn puts a smile on my face. After talking over the good 'ol days, we made our way to ATL to pick up my cute little nieces. We had a pretty full truck, but we made room to bring them to Augusta with us for a week at Gran and Pawpaws. Right now the house is packed out with Masters week in full swing. Luke and I still need to get our stuff squared away, but not until everyone leaves town this Sunday. Luke and I walked the course Tuesday, but I'll save the pics for another blog. I wanted to close this blog with some pictures of our back yard after the storms. Turns out we were hit by a tornado!! Lucky (VERY LUCKY) for us...our cars came out just fine and the only damage to the house was the garage corner.

In Georgia....Almost

Luke and I made the half country road trek with my car this past week. We left Carlsbad on Friday the 11th and drove 12 hours to Haynesville, LA. We had a wonderful time that weekend just hanging out with Luke's grandparents. We played 18 holes of golf on Saturday and then another 9 or 12 on Sunday. I don't want to brag....but I just have to tell you I was killing the ball! With the upcoming Masters I've got the real itch to start playing a lot. I think that will be my new hobby!  (Callie--please note that I am going to ask you to drive to Augusta for a golf day with me very soon).

After a great weekend in LA, we hit the road on Monday for Nashville. Timing was perfect for grab lunch in Memphis, so BBQ was on our mind. We googled some of the top choices for famed Memphis BBQ and came across Tops. Let's just say that was the best decision EVER. It was amazing! If you are in the area Tops is a must.
We made good timing into Nashville and checked in at the Homewood Suites in Brentwood. I have to also rave about the hotel crazy enough. The bed was downright fabulous. I think Luke and I seriously had a 30 min. convo on how awesome we thought the bed was. Who knew Homewood was the way to go??

After spending some days at the home office in Nashville, we were east bound toward ATL Thursday night.
Friday was take advantage of civilization again and run errands, paired with an awesome lunch with my SIL Stacie, and my nieces MA and the Bear. Luke hadn't seen the girls in a while, so the Panera lunch was perfect. MA and the Bear are just too cute!

Friday night my sister Jenna hosted game night at her place. Luke covered the meat, Jenna covered the appetizers, I attempted my New Mexican green chili cheese grits  for a side (I will say they didn't turn out so swell..I've got to work on the recipe a bit), and then each couple brought over another item to complete the meal. It was so much fun, and downright tempting too. I guess now would be a good time to tell you folks that I gave up all booze for lent. I'm not catholic, and grew up what I consider to be half baptist and half methodist; and the methodist do participate in Lent!  Anywho...that's right...I gave up even wine!!! So...game night was very hard and actually the rest of that entire weekend was pretty evil.

Saturday morning Luke and I helped host an Auburn Tailgate themed shower at Park Tavern. It was PERFECT weather! Not drinking at a tailgate is downright wrong, but I held out and behaved. I'm really on this cupcake kick as you can see in the below pics.
Saturday night we attended a wedding with the reception at Park Tavern too. It was a blast and of course had a full open bar. I guess you don't realize how much you drink or how many things you do with drinking until you give it up. Eye opening indeed.

So our current state is me hanging out in Augusta this week with Luke in Nash again working for the week. We both fly back to Carlsbad on Sunday and Monday and meet the movers that Wednesday. After they arrive it's just one last half country drive and we'll be GA peaches again. Crazy to think this move is finally happening. We are taking a different route back, so more blogs to come on our travels.

Love the huge windmills seen driving through West Texas

If you know me, you know I have a crazy love for the American Flag! It's so pretty!

We made it to Haynesville in time for dinner. 

Luke and Grandfather

Walking on the links

Luke chipping 

Drive for show and put for dough!!

Yum!! You must try this!

We made it into Nashville for Spring! The trees are lovely

AU cupcakes of course! 

Hanging out at the AU tailgate shower

The awesome bride and groom! Such a wonderful fun wedding.