PMB 2.0

Here we go again!

The Burlesons have officially lost their minds.  Back in October, we had a wild hair to go look at a house on the market one street over.  A big house.  Too big for 3 people.  I think alcohol played a factor. 

By November, we were getting our house ready to put on the market. By December we put an offer on the new house, contigent upon the sale of ours.  By January, we had an offer on our house, and by February we were signing papers. 

Closing date is April 13th.  And then the fun begins. 

The new house is a Belford home, built in 1930.  It was originally built as a duplex and still has 2 kitchens, one upstairs and one downstairs.  There are 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and 3800 square feet.  All of which need work.  Every single square foot. 

So, it's back to the blog to document our adventure.  I'm thinking I can just keep the name PMB...Pimp My Belford??  Or maybe Pimp My {big ass} Bungalow?  What do you think? 

Here are a few pictures to confirm just how crazy we are.  You think the last remodel was fun to follow?  Just wait for this one. 

Reindeer Games

Over the holidays, my neighborhood had a bit of a problem with the local reindeer population.  Two reindeer made their way into Old Town, and then they decided to mate and reproduce.  To add to the fun, they invited their friends and Santa into the hood.  And let me tell you, these kids were not shy. 

The first spotting.  My yard on December 16th.  Right next to my for sale sign. 

Their first rooftop appearance.  With my husband. 

They even made their way into our homes when we were out of town.  You know...to take advantage of the bedroom. 

Then they started multiplying.

And asked their friends to join in on the fun. 

They even decided to get busy in our cars...while listening to Christmas CDs.

On New Year's Eve, a few of them decided to visit our lovely Prom King. 

Another rooftop visit with the entire gang.

Partying with the crew.

And finally, one of these pesky critters decided to be really cute, and decorate my yard with lights.  Yep...my realtor even drove by and saw this one, along with all of the planes making their way to and from the Georgetown airport. 

Peace Out 2011

Happy New Year!  The past few months have been complete craziness around here.  My number 1 goal in 2012?  RELAX.  We shall see if it actually happens.  Before I can get on with 2012, I need to wrap up last year.  Then I can cross this off my to do list and relax.  At least try to.  Here goes...sorry this is a bit of a snooze.  I'll spare you and start with October.  That's when the party started.   

Back in October, Will and I went up to Dallas for 2 Avett Brother shows.  I. LOVE. THEM. I can't get enough. 

Then our neighbors hosted a Halloween party.  Movies in the backyard, crazy costumes, dancing, keg stands and Jack in the Box tacos at 3am.  I would say it was a success. 

We had family pics taken by Jackson Wright Photography again.  He's great.  Grafton and Will are great.  Me?  Not so much.  There was seriously only one picture of me that was worth getting.  I have got to get better at this family photo thing.

In November, we had the big party for Chip and Noel's marriage!  I blogged about it a bit but still need to show pictures.  It was damn fun.  Except the part where we went to bed at 1am and got up at 3 to head to the airport. 

Will and I went to Palm Beach for a golf tournament that he was selected to play in.  I'd say it was pretty uneventful but lots of fun.  Is that possible when you see that bag of fun below?  I guess it is with new friends and lots of wine and golf.  Our club won 3rd place, which was great, considering last year they came in DEAD LAST. 

Then we put our house on the market.  SHOOT ME NOW.  I have no clue why I thought this was a good idea.  There is a house for sale a street over from us now that we both really want, so why not go for it, right?  This is where I should go ahead and admit that I am not a risk-taker.  And this shit is risky.  They have since accepted our offer so now we just  need to sell ours.  Interested?? 

As soon as we got back, the neighborhood holiday partying started  And it has just been downhill ever since.  Holiday Happy hour(s) and the Hood's annual Thanksgiving dinner kicked it off.  I have to put the S on the end of Happy Hour because it's never just an hour.  Or two. 

Thanksgiving was quiet around here and I loved every minute of it.  It was the first time in a while that I have had 5 straight days off of work and stayed at home with no plans. 

Grafton turned 3 in December and he got to have his first legit birthday party, complete with the Tumble Bus!  How great is it to have 12 kids over for a party and they arent even in your house??  Highly recommend.  The only FAIL was singing Happy Birthday to G.  He wasn't digging it at all.

Then we had birthday dinners, holiday dinners, happy hours, reindeer games and a kick-ass neighborhood Texmas party, complete with tequila tasting, bare asses, gymnastics gone crazy and a fight to end the night.  Good times. 

Then it was off to Tennessee to spend 5 relaxing days with my family for Christmas.  I think I left the house twice. 

10 hours in the car with 2 adults, a 3 year old, a dog and my sister's cat and we're back in Texas to get ready for our annual NYE party. 

And finally, the Burleson's New Year's Eve party.  This year the theme was Prom.  Although, we didn't party  like a bunch of teenagers.  No....It was more like a bunch of dirty ass college kids.  Lets just say that at 3:45am the drinks were still flowing and there was dancing on the coffee table.  We have hundreds of photos so I'll have to sift through and pick out the best of the best to post.  The party definitely deserves it's own post. 

Okay, now I'm caught up and ready for the new year.  BRING IT!

Gift Guide for the Kids

This should be easy, right?  Nope.  Not when you have a 3 year old that is obsessed with superheroes.  I couldn't fill this with Batman, Spiderman and Buzz Lightyears, so this is what I came up with. 

1.  Cardboard Playhouse/Rocketship (I scored these at Kohls for $17!)
2.  PlaSmart Plasma Car
3.  Superhero Capes (I am lucky enough to live with Super Grafton, who wears his cape every weekend)
4.  Spooner Board
5.  JCrew Crew Cuts tees
6.  Work Bench (personally, I would not want this in my house, but it's not about me this time)
7.  What Does It Mean to be Green? 
8.  TOMS

Gift Guide for the Men

Men are hard to shop for.  Some of these are on Will's list.  Others I came up with myself, which means Will would think they are total crap.  Am I way off? 

1.  DoDo IPad case

2.  Avett Brother's Limited Edition Box Set

3.  Wood Grain iphone case

4.  Grantland Subscription

5.  Stitchout TOMS

6.  Personalized Beer glasses

7.  Paper-Mache Animals

8.  JCrew Wallace & Barnes sweater

The Grantland Subscription is on Will's list and is a pretty cool idea.  It's 4 books that are being published over the next year of the online sports magazine that he reads, Grantland.  You receive the 1st book right away, and then then next 3 over the next 12 months. 

G and I both have TOMS.  Will likes the idea of them, but the style is bad....men wearing women's shoes.  That's what he says.  But these stitchouts are good...a bit more manly.  If that's the look he's going for.

And, the logo on the pint glass is my neighborhood's logo.  Yes, thanks to M. Brady Clark, we are cool enough to have our own logo!  And dorky at the same time.  Whichever way you want to look at it. 



Dear Santa: Holiday Gift Guide

Does anyone else dig gift guides as much as me?  I don't know why, but I love this time of year when everyone puts together ideas to help us all out.  I know I gave my spill last week about living in the moment this holiday season, but we've all got a little shopping to do, right?

The best are gift guides from every day people, so I've decided to get in on the action.  Hopefully I'll help someone out.  Today's is for the ladies.  Later this week I'll post for men and kids. 

1.  Hootch Owl corkscrew
2.  Smart Wool frilly socks
3.  Franco Sarto Boots
4.  TOMS sunglasses
5.  Black and White (and a bit in between):  Celerie Kemble
6.  Decoded:  Jay Z
7.  Farmer's Market Basket
8.  2012 Desktop Calendar
9.  Zig Zag tray

Great Read

As I sat perusing a few of my favorite blogs this week, I came across this.  It's too good not to share.

From His Perspective:  Holiday Spirit

This was written by Erin's husband, who occasionally "guest blogs" on her site.  I always enjoy what he has to say, and this one really hit home.  I feel like we always get so hung up on the material things and spending money during the holidays.  This year,  I'm going to try to experience the "moment"....what the holidays really mean.  Grafton is at the age where he's finally going to get it...Santa, Christmas, etc.  And somehow I have to make sure that Christmas doesnt equal Presents.  Good luck with that one, right?

And speaking of, my sweet boy turns 3 tomorrow!  It's gone by so fast, and then again, I can't believe he's only 3.  I feel like we've been having conversations with this kid for years now.  He is so fun to be around and makes us laugh every day.  I'm just sad that 3 is one year closer to the day he won't snuggle with me or let me kiss him in public.  Because I highly doubt that when he is 14, he'll watch movies with us on the couch, lean over and give us each a kiss, and say "I really like you mom and dad."