Quick Update

Does anyone else think it's time for me to post? I'm sorry it's been forever. Here is a quick summary of our life in 5 short sentences. :)

1. We received an offer on the house.
2. Inspection and appraisal is this week. Until both of those are both done, we aren't celebrating.
3. Work has me busy, busy, busy.
4. We are sooooo ready for football season. I'm already thinking about some good recipes to try.
5. I have scored some major bargains this week! Whoohoo!

OK, that's really 7 sentences. Cross your fingers things go smoothly with the house. We are looking forward to only having 1 mortgage.

Lawrence's wedding is less than two months away. October will be here before we know it and I'm so excited about fall decorations, cute sweaters, colorful scarfs, and of course time with family.

Have a great week!

My favorite things

What are two of my favorite things?? Yes, besides Chris and Clemson...well, have you guessed?

FREE & CHOCOLATE! That doesn't come as a surprise to most of you :)

Every Friday, Mars is giving away 250,000 free pieces of chocolate HERE. I already got mine today. The certificate for your free chocolate does take six weeks, but it's worth it for me. I'll grab a cold diet coke and enjoy my free chocolate right about the beginning of October. And maybe I'll share it with Chris while we are enjoying a Clemson football game! That sounds like a great plan.

(Dad, I already registered for you today too. Love ya)

Free food

I just ordered $10 worth of free food to be delivered on Monday. Whether you pick out a few items and take $10 off or you order 1 item under $10 and get it free, it's still a great deal. Check it out HERE! No charge for delivery.

6 months ago tonight...

Can you tell I was excited?

...we were counting down the hours until it was time to say "I do." I really couldn't believe that January 31st was almost here. The place that we had the dinner at was decorated so nicely by my moms sweet friends. There was such a glow that night and we were so thankful for the time they spent setting up the facility. Earlier that afternoon, my mom and I had gone by to get things ready, but were told that things were under control and we could leave. There wasn't anything we could do. Ahhh...what nice words to hear when you have a million things running through your head: pick up grooms cake, bring gifts for honorary bridesmaids, bring gifts for groomsmen, pack groom/bride Tervis Tumblers (gift from mom), shower, get dressed, get to church for rehearsal in time, etc.
The actual rehearsal at the church went smoothly and shortly after that we were on our way downtown for dinner. The site was very quaint and was filled with our closest family and friends. The dinner was delicious and just what we had in mind, a casual dinner with not much fuss. Fried turkey and marinated pork was served with green bean casserole, seasoned potatoes and pasta salad. Chris and I requested a peach cobbler with ice cream too. A warm treat on a cold night. After dinner, Chris cut into the grooms cake which I had picked out for him. It was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and a BIG Clemson football helmet on it. I ordered it from a bakery in Columbia. Hmmm...I wish I had a big slice right now.
A few toasts were made by my brother, my dad, and the matron of honor. There weren't any groomsmen that wanted to speak (which I'm a little thankful for because I was warned in advice there may be some embarrassing stories). Chris and I created a "soundtrack" of Us. Some of the songs were upbeat, dancing songs and others were slow, sappy love songs. Chris created the cutest cover for our personalized CD's. We also had tons of candy there which was initially purchased for a "candy bar" we were going to have at the reception. As the wedding got closer, we decided the "candy bar" was a little overdone and nixed that idea.
The night was just an enjoyable event for the two of us. I think I shed a few tears, but that is to be expected, right? Once we said our goodbyes and sweet words, we parted ways with plans to meet at the alter the next night at 6pm to begin our Forever!

The grooms cake. Yummy!Kristie, the best Matron of Honor ever!!the table of goodiesCan you read it? So creative, but not our idea. I wish we could take claim to it. :)

When my dad said a toast, this is what everyone toasted with.

Amy & Chris started with a Clemson orange crush.

For those that read this and don't know us too well, I'll give you a brief summary:

Chris and I met at Clemson in 1996. He had a crush on me. :)

12 years later, it's the night before our wedding!

My dad giving the toast. He did a great job!

Did I toss & turn all night long? Absolutely not!

This is a picture that mom snapped shortly after coming home from the dinner.

sandwich coupon

Did anyone try the sandwich for the coupon I posted below? I gave out two coupons and received low ranking from both people. I guess it just looks better than it tastes. oh well.

FREE FREE FREE

Has anyone taken advantage of the free book bag offer this week? We did! Can't beat a free $50 book bag to take on trips. Speaking of trips, Chris and I are headed to VA this weekend to check on the house. We are meeting with a new realtor so cross your fingers that this guy can get the job done. THIS HOUSE MUST SELL SOON! I will update the blog when we get back with news from the trip. This is also our "6 month anniversary" trip too so a getaway from the house is also planned. Yippee!!

Quick--it expires 7/12

Click HERE for the link to the coupon. Enjoy!

Fun on the 4th

Each 4th of July, The Nichols family (my mom's, mom's side of the family) has a reunion on Lake Murray in Saluda. My family been going to this reunion since I can remember. In fact, it may be a 30+ year tradition. Anyway, there are usually a ton of people there, although I don't know most of their names, but we have fun catching up and eating some delicious food. When I was a child, my brother and I would take our bathing suits and swim in the late UNTIL one year someone saw a snake. I don't think my brother and I ever got in the water again. It still gives me chills.

The night before, a couple of men get the hash ready and continue to stir it into the night. The hash is prepared in big iron pots that were used to wash clothes over 70 years ago. Unfortunately, Chris hasn't been able to attend the reunion with me. 2007: we hadn't "re-met" yet. 2008: engaged, but had other plans. 2009: Chris was working. I know he wishes he could come. I hate attached some pictures below of my family and the infamous hash.

My grandmama and me

An uncle preparing the "to-go" containers of hash that can be frozen and enjoyed all year

Another tradition: homemade ice cream

hash in the pots

Deals of the Week

Since Chris wasn't home this weekend, I had tons of time today to plan my shopping trip. Attached in a picture of all the deals I got for a grand total of...............................$21.84.

2 tubes of toothpaste, 2 invisible tape, Febreeze starter kit, Febreeze fabric spray, Febreeze neutralizer, 1 box of Motrin, 1 box of Excedrin, 2 Venux razors, 1 nail police, 1 lip balm, 2 bottles of Dawn dish washing detergent, 2 canisters of Pringles, 1 Pantene styler for curls, 2 bottles of Lowry's marinade, 2 bottles of Head & Shoulders, 3 Pantene shampoos.

Has anyone else found any great deals for the week? Please share!

Happy 4th of July

Whatever your plans are and wherever you may be, we hope that you enjoy the holiday!

Recent Deals

Today I bought a pair of Danskos for $31.50 (& a 2nd pair for a friend).
Yesterday we paid $20 for a $45 sushi dinner.
3 days ago, we ate dinner in downtown Greenville for $30 instead of $55.**

I used to find it offensive if I was referred to as cheap...not anymore. I'll continue to save our money for a rainy day. Call me what you wish.

**for those that live in Greenville, I now have a $25 credit at Devereaux downtown. Let me know if you want it. That restaurant isn't really our taste.

Another shot

I just got the call this morning from the doctor that my blood work came back fine (yeah!!), but that I am not immune to Rubella. Lovely!
Guess what that means? Another shot on Wednesday. Ouch!
And I read that some people will always be immune, even if they do get a immunization shot which means they will continuously get shots throughout their life.
I am thankful that everything is good...cholesterol and thyroid.

Nugget Night

Chris was hungry last night, really hungry. He suggested The Lube for all-you-can-eat wings. I suggested CFA all-you-can-eat nugget night. Much cheaper.

For those that live outside of the Greenville area, Chic-fil-a hosts an A.Y.C.E. nugget night on a different week night at different locations. Initially you are served 12 nuggets, 1 large fry order & 1 large drink. $8.99

Throughout the dinner, an employee will come around an re-fill your nugget box until you have had A.Y.C.E. As nice as she could say when refilling Chris' box for the 4th time, "honey, you sure can put some nuggets away AND you aren't even a fat man."

Somebody else recognized the fact that my husband has a serious appetite. He does a good job of burning it off though.

I ate a kids meal and will probably be trying to burn that off for 3 weeks. Not fair!

I woke up this morning in a good mood.

I had a doctors appointment.

I had a shot in one arm and blood drawn from another.

I left the doctors office in a bad mood.

I'm ready to take a relaxing bath and maybe watch "Jon & Kate" in 30 minutes. Not sure that will help me feel better.

Maybe some ice cream will! :)

Friday Night

Friday night is our date night. When I got home from work we decided to go to Moe's. I really think Chris could eat there every other day. It helps that I have 6 BOGO coupons there. At dinner we talked about going by Bi-Lo and renting a movie from Red Box, which is probably one of the best ideas I've seen recently. $1 for 1 movie for 1 night. Great!
At Bi-Lo, we didn't see a movie that was available that we wanted to watch but Chris did decide that he wanted to get some Blue Bell Grooms Cake flavored ice cream. Over the past few weeks we have tried to find this each time we go grocery shopping with no luck.
First stop, Bi-Lo. No luck.
Next stop, Bloom. No luck.
Next stop, Wal-mart. Bingo! They only had 1 gallon of it left. Chris hid it behind the supply of vanilla so we could go pick out a $5 movie and not have to rush due to the melting ice cream.
He picked out a movie...I picked out a piece of furniture.
So, after spending over $100 dollars at Wal-mart, we were headed home with the ice cream and a desk. Oh What A Night!

For your information: the ice cream was very delicious and well worth a 3 store hunt for it.

Free stuff

I found another free item to share with you. Click on this link for a free sample of Scott Extra Soft Toilet Tissue AND 10count travel pack of Scott Moist Wipes. Can't beat that!

My latest project

Most of you know that I love anything monogrammed. Heck, my closest friends hosted a monogram themed wedding shower for me last August. I do think some people can take it a little too far, but whatever makes you happy, right? I especially love monogramming anything now with our new couples monogram. Chris doesn't get as excited about monogramming everything in our home as I do. I don't understand why (wink, wink).

Check out the 2 pictures below of my newest monogrammed item at the Lack home. The stickers came in today and I couldn't wait to put them on the rocking chairs. One was a gift from Chris' parents for Christmas (thank you!!) and one we bought with gift cards we received as wedding gifts. Chris has been on night shift this week and I'm so excited to see him tomorrow night when I get home from work. I think that he will smile when he pulls up to the house and sees my new design. What do you think?

And yes, this is our couples monogram AND my personal monogram too. We were meant to be!

Free Tea

Everyone that is a true southerner loves sweet tea! It has a ton of sugar, but a nice cold glass of sweet tea is now considered a special treat. McAlister's Deli is offering a free sweet tea to everyone on July 23. I'll do my best to remind you closer to the date, but enjoy a nice tall glass of good sweet tea and remember me! :)

Yuk!

Can someone with the health department PLEASE visit my gym? They have been out of paper towels for over a week and every time I go, they give us a new excuse: they are at the Laurens Rd. location, they are coming in tomorrow, my manager said to tell people that we are out (duh!), we don't have a way of getting them to this location. Seriously, you are a business. Make it happen! Walk across the street to Wal-mart. Last time I was there, they had plenty of paper towels.

Imagine person after person using the same treadmill and not being able to wipe their sweat off of the machine. I'm grossed out.

This is also the same gym that has now changed their hours because they "can't find anyone to work the night shift" at a 24 hour gym. Unemployment in SC is at 11%. Try another excuse on me because I'm not believing that one. This gym also closed one of their Greenville locations unexpectedly and without warming to their members.

Warning to all: Stay away from Peak Fitness in Greenville. N-A-S-T-Y!

Awkward

I went to Babies "R" Us today to pick up a shower gift and overheard this conversation.

Employee: Have fun registering and congratulations on your pregnancy.
Customer: Oh, it ain't me...it's her (as she points to her teenage daughter)
Employee: silence
Customer: walked off

Ummm...don't you think that if you don't know, then just just keep your mouth zipped. I would have thought that would be lesson #1 on your first day of employment.