The Roomate

Yesterday, I felt my love for animals waver for a minute.

That sounds awful, but let me explain.

I live in the south. Georgia to be exact and near a creek. That equals snakes. Lots and lots of snakes. My property tends to collect copperheads which are aggressive and poisonous. Yay. One year I stepped on 2 of these jerks. It took years off of my life.

Jump ahead to this year...
We have a black snake that has decided to live IN the barn. IN my tack room where I keep my horses food, grooming supplies and stuff I need daily. The only reason I am letting him stay is because I have always heard that black snakes keep the poisonous ones away and so far no copperheads have been seen.

Side note: There is also a rabbit living in the tack room and the snake doesn't bother it. 

In the beginning the snake kept his distance. I would walk into the barn he would slither out until I was done. The room mate agreement was working and we were all happy. Then he started leaving creepy little gifts in my grooming box and on my shelves in the form of his shed skin. Ew. Freaked me out. Chris removed the gifts. And I declared the snake needed to go.

Yesterday I headed into the barn to clean Casper's stall. I was on the phone with my best friend talking about her newest boy issues. I hung up with her and opened the door to the stall and something darted to the right. I darted to the left screaming. I looked over my shoulder to make sure it wasn't chasing me and realized it was the harmless cute bunny and not the snake. I started laughing uncontrollably at myself, freaking out over little bunny foo foo.  I cleaned the stall as fast as I could and got out of the barn. I am talking record time. If it didn't cause heart attacks I would say small scary animals would be great motivators for getting barns cleaned quickly. *Shudder*

As it goes, Chris cleaned the stall today. I didn't tell him I was still a little leary of the beasts we have done there but I conveniently found another chore that I knew he would rather not take on. Tomorrow I go in with a full suit of armor. Snake boots ... jeans ... a helmet. It could get serious.

150th Anniversary of Kennsaw Mtn Battle

This weekend was a total history nerd weekend with the hubs. This weekend was the 150th anniversary of the battle at Kennesaw Mountain. It is a huge deal to Civil War history buffs such as the hubs. To say he was a little kid Saturday morning is an understatement.

Our Morning started at 6am Saturday. Take a minute and let that sink in.... 6AM... on a Saturday.

We got ready and headed to our favorite restaurant for breakfast. Chris basically inhaled his while he watched the clock and looked at his event schedule. We made it to Kennesaw Mountain in record time.

 It was supposed to rain but the weather was gorgeous all day. We walked around and looked at a few of the "camps" while we waited for the shuttles to take us to the mountain top. My favorite tent was an example of a refugee family forced from their home by the war.

At 9am we boarded the trolley to the top of the mountain. The trolley ride was fun and the views were gorgeous. I had my It Works shirt on and had several people asking about the products so I passed out cards and chatted to pass the time. It Works is seriously the most fun I have ever had working and I can work anywhere.

When we got to the top of the mountain this was our view:

Breathtaking huh?

At the top of the mountain we met a blogger that is a photographer and history buff and chatted a bit while we waited for the cannon demonstration.

The rest of the day was filled with much of the same. Trolley rides and demonstrations. Chris was totally in his element and I love seeing him that happy. Hopefully we will be attending more reenactments!

Wrapped Up

A few months ago I told myself that I would give this blog more attention. An honest go. I failed.

I failed for good reasons, so maybe we won't call this a fail. You see I have been completely wrapped up in my marriage. I know, I know... you're thinking, "another mush post" but hear me out.

I read an article the other day about how happy couples are hated on Facebook. What?! Why is it we can't stand to see other people happy? Is it because misery really does love company? That is a sad thought but it seems to be true.

I remember when we announced our engagement people would say things the worst things. Here is a list of the ones I STILL remember.

"Well, there goes your sex life!"
"You still have time to run!"
" Ready for the ball and chain?"
"I wouldn't do it again. Hell no!"
"Ah, your first ex husband"
" So he's the person that will eventually get half your stuff?"

Yes, people actually said this stuff. When I read that article it all came back to me and I reflected on our relationship.

Are we hated on Facebook? Probably. We laugh and snuggle and can't stand to be away from each other. We take smiling selfies and are thankful for one another. At the beginning of the year I vowed to make this year our best. I would try to push every thing else out and put us first.

First step: Become a more Godly couple. 
I realized our marriage started in the Church and that's where it needed to stay rooted. We had slipped slowly away and that was causing some of our issues. I started doing Bible studies on my own and then invited him to join me. It became a nightly thing to curl up on the couch and read a passage or two. I also began praying for my husband, praying for our life and praying for our future.

Second step: Be our own family
This was the hardest for me. I always have had a huge extended family and I have always been so intertwined with their lives. Which is good, but at the same time their drama was affecting MY marriage. That is not acceptable. I had to realize that while I can still visit with them and love them, I cannot be at their constant beck and call to sort out their drama. I realized Chris and I are our own unit. We have our own issues to sort through. WE COME FIRST.

Third step: Date my husband
We have been so stuck on budgeting and getting out of debt that we were forgetting to live, forgetting to enjoy each other and forgetting just how much we loved one another.

The results have been amazing. We are like two teenagers completely wrapped up in one another. We talk on the phone constantly. We have been more considerate and more thankful for one another. We are truly living as one unit. It is the most amazing feeling to get goosebumps and butterflies when I see him. That feeling has been fading for years, because we let life get in the way.

So I guess we are that hated couple on Facebook. Chris's best friend told him that there was no way we are that happy because we used to argue constantly. We laugh when we hear that kind of stuff now. We joke that something must be wrong with us because our bedroom life is the best it has ever been and we are married! Gasp.

 Nothing is wrong with us, the sad thing is something major is wrong with society. When people HATE seeing others post about happy relationships something is wrong. When people spout of divorce stats like they are a challenge when you announce your engagement, something is wrong.

Misery loves company, you just have to decline the invitation.

I'm so fancy

Yesterday it was a Monday. So much so that I woke up this AM and went I never finished my weekend Re-Cap. Oops.

This weekend we decided to be anti-social. Sometimes we really just need a weekend with just the two of us. To reconnect and enjoy each other without interruptions from the rest of the World. So we told the friends and fam sorry catch you next week!

Saturday we decided we both needed new church clothes. I LOVE dress shopping. I rarely get to dress girly. I work in the automotive field with 20 guys so it is usually jeans and a cute shirt or yoga pants and tank tops or t shirts. Then on the weekends I am in riding attire.

Seriously, this is typical attire.

We went to his manly store first. I will not name names because it was a horrible experience. We told the consultant we needed nice but casual. CASUAL. The man comes out with sports jackets and blazers and ties. Nope. He finally brought out  some nice choices that fit our needs and Chris looked pretty snazzy. He never told us prices though. He just kept saying they are all buy one get one. This is my fault I probably should have demanded he be more upfront but I thought " BOGO... It can't be that bad."

Wrong. Four pants and four shirts later we are at $700.00. That is after the BOGO. Keep in mind, we are not buying tuxedos or even suits. This is khakis and polos and button ups. WTH? Then the guy gives us all the wrong sizes to take home. Needless, to say Chris didn't get church clothes from there.

My shopping experience was much better. Marshall's 4 dresses... $75.00. That is how it's done folks! I would post pictures but I think you guys will have to wait for some OOTD posts.

After that we went to hit the antique stores. If you know us you know my husband is a hardcore nerd/history buff. If it happened before 1930 he can tell you all about it. He has also always dreamed of a library full of old books. One of the antique stores we went into he zigged left and I zagged right. Right into his version of heaven.  There were floor to ceiling shelves with the oldest books I have EVER seen.


I quickly grabbed Chris and sat back and smiled as he poured over all the books. He is so cute in his element.

Bottom Left: 1695! It was gorgeous. 

I admit I was amazed by some of them. Some of them were dated 1695... 1770 (complete with a Preface letter to the KING!) and 1640. Some of them were medical books from the 1800's. There were first editions from pretty much everyone including Twain and a few others. They all had prices like $375...$700...$5000. Yes, for the amount I could buy a new horse my hubby can buy a book. But I admit,  I felt fancy in that old book collection. I just needed brandy and pearls. Maybe I will let him convert the basement into his dream library and when I want to feel fancy I will grab brandy and pearls and retire to a fainting sofa to read.

Weekend re-cap

I failed this weekend. Or did I?

I forgot to take pictures because I was living. Oops.

Saturday, I climbed into the saddle on Soul. Last week I rode Raffany as a warm up. He was perfect and I was thankful because after 3 months off, I could not handle a challenge.

Soul was also a perfect boy. I felt like I was all over the place and my abs... ow. But we are slowly making progress. Also, my back hates my F breasts. A reduction may be needed. Or does anyone have any suggestions for an amazing sports bra for large tatas?

Sunday I washed the car. Fun I know.  Then I surprised the hubby at work. He surprised me by taking me to the barn that we met at . I love impromptu visits to places that mean so much. It was amazing to be back on the property where we first dated. The fields were grown up and the barns were gone. The house was falling in, but being there with him sitting in the field with his arms around me took me back 10 years. It's the little things.

Pain meds, 1200lb beasts and food.

I have walked through this lovely Tuesday thinking it was Friday all day. Tomorrow is going to be a rude awakening.

Via - Via

It actually hasn't been a bad day. I did have to cancel my lesson because I am on some pretty heavy pain meds. Something about 1200 lb animals and not being on your toes just doesn't mix. Especially when one of those lovelies gets so excited to see you, he turns into a bucking, leaping goof ball and the other is a newbie. I do not have a death wish.

In other news... my husband is perfect and spoils me rotten. I got french toast this morning for breakfast. I think french toast is probably the yummiest breakfast food ever. It is so weird though. Who thought "I am going to dip this bread in egg and let it get soggy and fry it up?" Every time I try to get crazy in the kitchen it is a flop.

This post has no rhyme or reason. Just rambles. That is my brain this week!

And my small attention span is taking me elsewhere...

Amicalola Falls

Hello lovelies,
We are on vacation this week and have decides to just explore our gorgeous state again. We went to the farm and clayton and Dillard Georgia but those posts come later. Right now, you guys get to here me whine.

We went to Amicalola falls. It's a gorgeous waterfall in north Georgia. I want to get in shape and I wanted a park where I could take the dogs. The park fit the criteria and I hadn't been there since I was like 5. If 5 year old Mallory can make it up the mountain and the 604 stairs to the top then surely 25 year old Mallory would have no issue right?

Wrong. First the dogs haven't really been in public around other dogs since we bought the mini horse farm. There is no reason to go to dog parks when they have acres to run on here. That is changing this week. They wanted to play with every dog they met.

We found a quiet wooded area away from everyone else and had a picnic. Riley was an angel. Duh, he is my dog.  Lacey barked at everybody that passed. Apparently she had claimed the woods as her own. Brat.
After our picnic we started our hike. Bad idea. About half way up, after being pulled up the mountain by a very excited pit/lab at a very fast rate, I started feeling nauseated. Don't run up a mountain with a very wild pup after eating.  I was pretty sure everyone on the trail was about to witness a very ugly post lunch moment.

We found a bench and I sat there for 20 minutes trying to calm the jerk down.  I was silently cursing 5 year old Mallory for making this trail look so easy. We started up the stairs again and Riley panicked a little because he could see through the stairs. It slowed him down a bit, but now I was ready to run. When we got to the top it was worth it. The views were breathtaking. 

 

I did learn I need to work out more. I also learned the dogs need to get out more and that kids have way more energy than I ever will.  Maybe next time when we go back I will be in better shape and can enjoy it more.

Then HE gets baby fever...

Hey guys. It's me, Mrs. Confused. Always confused.

So if you read the other day you know I was freaking out about not having kids. The hubs wanted to wait, P.C.O.S says no, I don't know if I will ever be ready...

I finally came to the decision to feel at peace. I decided to give it to God. I thought I would just be me, continue to compete with the horses, because Lord knows that stops when you have a kid to support, and I would just enjoy life.

Without kids I have money to buy clothes and cars and horses. I can travel and relax. I mean this could be a good thing. I and I though, "hmm... wait a while and be selfish awhile longer..."

Then we are in bed about to doze off and hubs says, "I was thinking, I think 4 kids would be perfect. So we should probably have one in the next year." My reaction...

And then... 

I am so confused. I need a day or two to process. 

I mean agreeing to one would be cool... 4? He is insane. And I was just coming to terms with waiting. So why does he think it's okay to change his mind like some people change underwear. It's like he doesn't get that there are huge risk, and decisions and emotions attached to this. Ugh... I need wine and a BFF night. And tissue.

Never Trust a Min Pin

I am posting this post as a warning.  If you own a Min Pin or ever come in contact with one remember, they are just pretending to be an ally. Learn from my story.

The min pin that tricked me is, of course, Lacey.

Sorry it's blurry, This is one of her baby pictures (5 months) when we thought she was so innocent.

Okay so last night, I was really craving something sweet and I didn't want to completely blow the diet so I decided to sneak into the kitchen for a marshmallow or 2. I have learned that one marshmallow will cure any sweet craving I have and I figure they are better than a whole bowl of ice cream or a candy bar. Lacey follows me into the kitchen and begs. This is the conversation we had. Yes I talk to my dog.

Lacey: Growls
Me: "Lace, I am hiding from your dad because he thinks he has more self- control than me. Go away."
        This diet has become a competition. Anything we do together becomes a game, I swear.
Lacey: Jumps up and down and whimpers
Me: " Look, these things aren't good for me, so I am sure they are awful for you."
Lacey: blank stare and a growl.
          At this point she is drawing too much attention to the kitchen. 
Me: "Fine you can have one! One! But eat it in here so your dad doesn't know what we are up to."

That little brat marched over to the doorway to the living room (she stayed in the kitchen) and smacked as loud as she could right where he could see her. I thought we had an understanding. Nope.

Don't trust a min pin. Ever.

Friday Letters

I am linking up with the gorgeous Ashley at The Sweet Season for Friday Letters. Go say hello to her and congratulate her on her new baby bump!

Dear Valentine's Day, You kinda rocked this year. 5 years ago on Valentine's day Chris proposed. I still need to tell that story. Maybe next week. This year he wrote me a letter about how that one moment changed our lives forever.

Then we get to this morning... 

Dear Hubs, Yep, it's Friday. Wanna know how I know? Every other weekend you have the weekend off. Every other Friday you pick a fight. Why? Do you realize we get 4 days a month together? Why do you try to make them miserable?

Yeah we aren't the perfect couple. 

Dear Barn, I will be seeing lots of you Saturday (see above). I little pony time will be good for me. Plus, this Saturday is the awards banquet. I am excited to get my drink on see all of my horse friends from other barns. 

Dad and I at banquet a few years ago.

Dear you,  If you are new here, welcome! I hope you have a great weekend and I will see you Monday!

Valentine's Day Link-up

Ever wonder if your spouse really knows you?! Like even the simplest questions? Well now is the time to find out!

HOST:

The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

COHOSTS:

JanLoves, The Marvelous Flight of Cara, Delightfully Dunn, From Awkward to Art, Planned in Pencil,   Jessica Who?, Northern Belle Diaries, You and Me are We, The Family Darr, Songbirds and Buttons, The Grace of Southern Charm, Just Simply Live, Pretty Living PDX, The Lemonade Diaries, Life as I know it

Here are the instructions:

1. Fill out the Valentines Day Questions. You can find them here.
2. Hand over the same set of questions to your spouse and see if they can answer the questions about you. 
3. Write your post and compare both of your answers
4. Link up your blog post below!

Want to see how my husband and I did? Read our answers below. 

How long have you been married?

Mallory: 2 years in May 

Chris: I don't know... a year and some change... um... a year in 8 months. 

Where was your first date?

Mallory: We went to a horse event (go figure), dinner and the park. It was a busy night!

Chris: Fajitas, the horse thing and the barn. ( he forgot Wills Park) 

Where was your first kiss?

Mallory: Wills Park - Alpharetta the night of that first date. 

Chris: The barn. (Wrong. How does he forget that? He recreated it the following year!)

Who first said, "I love you"?

Mallory: He did! 

Chris: Me. 

What were your wedding colors?

Mallory: Light yellow and white with hints  of light green

Chris: Yellow and green

What is her most commonly used phrase?

Mallory: I over use whatevs but other than that I don't have a catch phrase. 

Chris: hmm... not a phrase really but she talks about Soul the horse constantly. I think "Soul is perfect is her most used phrase. I think if he was a person, with a job, she would leave me for him. 

Who is her celebrity crush?

Mallory: Luke Bryan or Tanner Foust. 

Chris: Tanner Foust. 

If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get?

Mallory: A hurricane for me. He doesn't drink so a sweet tea for him. 

Chris: Sweet tea. 

What is the best meal she has ever cooked you?

Mallory: He loves my chicken alfredo. 

Chris: Homemade chicken alfredo with garlic bread

What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?

Mallory: Pasta with vodka sauce. That was a flop. 

Chris: Stuffed grape leaves. (I forgot about those!!! I have to agree with him. The whole house smelt like it.)

What is the most-played song on her iPod?

Mallory: The Airstream Trailer song

Chris: That Airstream song. 

What would she say is your most annoying habit?

Mallory: His snoring or the fact that he researches everything for hours. 

Chris: Snoring. 

What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?

Mallory: I can't sleep without snuggling with Riley dog.

Chris: Reads a book and snuggles with her dog. 

If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be?

Mallory: I have no idea. He hates flip-flops so maybe those. 

Chris: Flip-flops!!! 

What would you say is your favorite thing about her?

Mallory: He loves my love for animals. He says it means I have a heart of gold. Oh and my boobs.  

Chris: No matter how stupid my ideas are or how mean I am or how angry I get she still loves me. 

What's her go-to drink at Starbucks?

Mallory: Mocha Frappucino or caramel macchiato

Chris: Mocha frapp

What's her blog's name?!

Mallory: He better get this. 

Chris: The Grace of Southern Charm. 

How to tell if your hubby REALLY loves you...

This weekend I would say I really tested Mr.'s love. I mean really tested it. The test...

Step 1
Ask him if he will help you with a "project" even though he is on call this weekend. It's just a small project. When he asks what the project vaguely point to the back yard.

Step 2
Once in the backyard wrangle him to the barn, which you haven't bother to straighten up since you moved in.  Hand him a shovel and ask him to help you level a stall. 6 wheel barrels full of dirt later ask if he would like to take a break.

Step 3
Just when he thinks he is off the hook, hand him a bottle of bleach and ask him to help you bleach all the buckets and mats in the place.

Step 4
Try to look as sexy as possible in sweatpants and a tshirt with hay and poop and shavings all over you while asking if he will now help you set up one more stall and your feed room (if he whistles or smacks your booty he is passing the test).

Step 5
Once you are done, talk about how exhausted and achy you are even though he did most of the work. If he pulls you close (mud, hay and all) and kisses your forehead, he passed.

Being an equestrian is glamorous I tell ya, and I don't know what I would do without the hubs. I would have spent 3 days working in the barn instead of just one! I will say I always feel like a new person after barn work days. There is something so relaxing about getting so gross and working until you hurt. It's like I work out all my issues right there in the barn with the horses and then I get to come inside and stand in the shower and wash it all away. As cheesy as it sounds I feel like a new person afterwards.



Thank God for horses... and my amazing hubs.

Sick as a human? Sick as a dog?

 

I have no idea where people come up with some of these phrases. Sick as a dog? Where did that come from? I mean Riley typically just eats some grass voms once or twice and hits the ground running. I am in bed miserable. Shouldn't it be sick as a human? 

My PCOS is being a bish again. Remember when I told you about my angry lady parts. That was just a few days ago. Well, I went to the doctor today and after a year of me saying "can we look at other options?", she decided we should look at other options. My ovary looks like swiss cheese in the images and the pain is like 25 days out of the month. So, we switched meds today. I have taken one dose and I feel like I could vom at any moment. Hubs brought me ginger ale and took care of the horse and the dogs tonight. He also cooked and cleaned. He is a keeper, I tell ya. I am a crying, sick mess. ( I cry when I am happy, sad, frustrated, or pissed) I might not be keeper material tonight. Tis life. I will see ya'll tomorrow when I have my shiz together. 

Good night ya'll. 

Friday letters.

Dear Baby K, You have grown so much and aunty loves being able to see you everyday. What a blessing. Happy one month little bit! 

Dear little blog, You are growing and we are meeting new people. Yay! I love the community. I love the people I have met. I love the outlet.

Dear Mama and Daddy, (yes I am a true Southern girl and still call them mama and daddy) I miss you guys! 2 weeks is way to long. Work is boring without ya'll. I didn't realize how much I enjoy seeing ya'll everyday. Please come home soon!

Dear sissy Sara, I hope you are rocking it at the World Championships. Enjoy every moment because you will miss it. I know your 17 year old self said that it is interfering with life, but honey you will realize that those horses are a huge part of  life. When you grow up and have a job and have to squeeze in ride time you will miss spending 6 hours a day in the saddle. Trust me. 

*** Update*** One World Champion Title and 2 reserve World Champion Titles! Way to show off The Castleberry girls' talents! I am proud of you. 

Dear hubby, Yay for this new chapter! You know the one where we get to spend a lot more time at home? Sitting on our deck, eating dinner and watching the sunset behind our horse was amazing. Can you believe we are lucky enough to see that every night now. 

Fall food is not figure friendly.

Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pies, pecan pies, turkey, dressing... 

Its all so yummy, but my hips don't lie. My hubs love the stick-to-your-ribs, fall food and he is a man so he can eat it and not have to worry about squeezing into skinny jeans. 

Ya'll take a minute to picture this manly man in skinny jeans.... 

The thought makes me laugh until I cry. 

Tonight I made the easiest stuff that felt heavy and fallish, but didn't have 10 billion calories. 

Grab your crockpot. 

Through in a pound of stew meat. 

2 cans of low fat cream of mushroom soup

1 pack of onion soup mix. 

That is it. Serve it over rice or egg noodles  It is ugly but delicious. That is why you are not getting a picture. I don't want to scare you from trying it. 

But really. Try it. 

A weekend in crap kickers

I spent my weekend on the farm in shiz kickers. Those are cowboy boots for those of you who aren't up on the country girl lingo. I spent the weekend petting cows, loving my farmer husband, laughing with my sister, and hanging out with my farmer dad. I am still in a state of bliss and will be for a few days. 

Ya'll wanna take a mini vacay to the farm? Okay, turn on some country music, close out the world, look at these photos and pretend you are there. 

My lovely hammock that dad hung over a ledge. Once your in, you don't move.

The courthouse in town. Town is 20 minutes from us. 

One of my favorite cows. She needs to be a cow model. 

Daddy bailing hay!

Dad's tractor has AC and a stereo... farming is hard. 

No explanation needed. 

The rake looks really cool! 

My hot farmer. 

My favorite crap kickers ever. Thank you hubby!

The hay field with the hills behind it. 

Hard at work? Hardly working? You decide.

The 100+ year old barn.

That tree makes our car look tiny

Again with the view 

So that was my weekend! 

I have a hammock calling my name...

Dear Friday, Took ya long enough! This week has been dragging along, I am sleep deprived and stressed to the max. At least mama is letting me leave work at 2pm today! Dear Farm, I love you. I miss you. I cannot wait to see you. 2.5 hours until I am in the car and on my way to see your beautiful rolling hills and lay in that hammock. Follow me on twitter or Facebook or instagram (lilmrsh) for pictures. Dear puppies, Ready for a puppy weekend? Like 48 hours attached to my hip- riding in the gator- playing in the river fun... it's about to happen! Dear hubs, one week until we are home owners. EEK! Thank you for buying my childhood home for me. Thank you for not being mad that I have been a stress basket. Dear past week, wow... we had a baby born. Then the sister had to go the hospital for major issues and then hub's cousin was life flighted from a car accident and we were told he wouldn't make it. It's been crazy and stressful. I thank God that we didn't lose the hub's cousin. He is actually doing great! And I am thankful for the new baby cousin. She is gorgeous. Dear followers, You rock. Your comments and encouraging words keep me from screaming. I adore each and everyone of you.