The Reveal ...

Drum roll please ... and my work costume IS ...

A bundle of grapes!  Get it ... you make wine from grapes? 

And my costume for Pick or Treat (how cute is that name, my maiden name and also my brother and Silly's last name is Pickering - I have such a clever Silly) was ...

A trophy wife!

I put the picture with my Silly because she was SUCH a cute Swine Flu (her little wand said H1N1 on it, she ran around giving everyone the Swine Flu, ha!) and my brother was Dr. Tommy Flu (like Tamiflu the vaccine) too cute!  There were a lot of adorable costumes, I wish I had gotten more pictures!  We had a GREAT time!  Here's to the annual Pick or Treat!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

Have fun and BE SAFE!!!

Another Hint of My Work Costume ...

Any guesses!?!?!

The Mr. & The Mrs.

My friend Amber (of Rawlings Report, go read her blog, she's one of the strongest girls I know!) posted this little questionaire about her and her hubby on her blog AND since I'm not revealing my costumes until tomorrow (after I have pictures of both) I thought I'd give it a whirl! 

(Yes I know this doesn't look like me, I weighed 19 lbs, it was my wedding day, please don't say that it doesn't look like me or I might cry.)

Okay here goes ...

1.What are your middle names?  Ray and Wells (I know it's hard to tell, his is Ray mine is Wells)

2. How long have you been together?  Started dating my senior "and a half" year at Baylor ... dated 9 months, got engaged, married in 10 months on April 23, 2005 which puts us celebrating our 5th year this coming April.

3. How long did you know each other before you started dating?  We knew each other for 2 1/2 yrs except he had a girlfriend and I dated some of his friends ... woops.  But we had crushes on each other from the moment we met.  Smile.

4. Who asked who out?  He did ... after he found out I had a crush on him, dumped his current girlfriend, drove to the function I was at with my brother's best friend (this is starting to sound soap-operaesque) stole me from my date, got my phone number from my date to the function after the function (Island for you Baylorites) and asked me out.

5. How old are each of you?  Both 28 getting dangerously close to 29.

6. Did you go to the same school?  Sic 'em.  And yes. 

7. Are you from the same home town?  What exactly is the definition of "home town"?  He's from Flower Mound and I'm from Plano ... they're 20 minutes apart, I consider that the same-ish.

8. Who is the smartest?  Really?  He's a CPA.  I'm pretty sure he thinks in numbers.  You know how the in the Matrix the numbers float all over the place and it make some sort of code?  I'm pretty sure that's what's going on in Matt's head ...

9. Who majored in what?  Him in Business w/ a Masters in Accounting.  Me, in whatever was easiest with the least amount of homework, papers and tests, which turned out to be Communications with a minor in Public Relations.  See why he's smarter?

10. Who is the most sensitive?  Really?  I cry during Pedigree commercials.

11. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?  Bora Bora.  Oh to be able to do our honeymoon again.

12. Who has the worst temper?  I'd have to say him.  Probably because he's so much smarter ...

13. How many children do you want?  Depends if I end up with a litter of boys/girls after 2 and want to try for the opposite.  Otherwise, 2.

14. Who does the cooking?  If by cooking you mean driving to Subway or defrosting a frozen dinner, that would be me. 

15. Who is more social?  Me.  He's a home body.

16. Who is the neat freak?  I like everything to LOOK tidy and neat and appear clean.  He wants the baseboards and ceiling to pass the dust test and to be able to eat off the toliet seat.  That label would for sure go to him.

17. Who is the most stubborn?  I think we may be equal in that category.  I might have a little bit on him, but it's a toss up.

18. Who wakes up earlier?  Me.  Not by choice. 

19. Where was your first date?  The Texas State Fair.  We starting talking about it when he stole me from my date at Island.  I said I LOVED Fletcher's Corny Dogs and he said "ME TOO, we should totally drive to Dallas and go to the State Fair to have one!" ... he told me after we were married he'd never had a Fletcher's Corny Dog before then.  Stinker.

20. Who has the bigger family?  I have 842 cousins.  On just one side.  He has 2 aunts and uncles and a total of 3 cousins.  No wonder our holidays borderline freak him out.

21. Do you get flowers often?  I wouldn't say often but when I do he does it RIGHT. 

22. How do you spend the holidays?  Like I said, 842 cousins ... Thanksgiving we start at my aunt Kathy's house to spend with my dad's family's side, then we head to his parents house, then we head to my Mamaw's house to spend with my mom's family's side.  And then we go into food comas when we finally get home.  Christmas Eve we spend the night with my Mamaw (and my 842 cousins) then go from there to my Mamo's house (dad's mom) then to his parents house, then to my mom's house, then finally home ... just to change clothes, nap off our food coma and go to my mom's house for Christmas Dinner.  I love it (it's all I've ever known) but I think it's a bit much for Matt ... rightfully so.

23. Who is more jealous?  Ugh.  Me.  But I'm working on that.

24. How long did it take to get serious?  About a day.  We both knew from the start that we were it for each other.  Smile.

25. Who eats more?  That's a toss up.  We can both put down some food.  This comes from being the fat kid growing up.  I could give a football team a run for their money.  It's one of my endearing traits. 

26. What do you do for a living?  Matt is a CPA and works as a Manager at one of the top 5 accounting firms in the nation, I work at a Construction Company doing Contracts, Insurance and Estimating. 

27. Who's better with the computer?  I would say we are about equal.  Somehow, wherever I work, I end up being the computer whiz.  Don't ask me how this happens.  Apparently in another life I worked at Geek Squad. 

28. Who drives when you are together?  He does.  I heart his big truck.

29. What is your song?  "I Melt" by Rascal Flatts.  It was the first song we ever danced to (while I was cooking him dinner in my kitchen at "The Place" at Baylor) and it was our first dance song at our wedding.

Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody Everywhere!

Well, today is the day we finally took the plunge.  Matt and I have been talking about getting a maid for about 6 months now, however, we couldn't find someone for the right price, or we didn't know them so there was a trust issue.  Then, last week my uncle sent out an email saying his cleaning lady needed extra work and that she was great with dogs (cue heavenly music playing in my head) and her price was GREAT.  SO sweet Maria started today.  And when I say sweet, I mean it.  She is precious and when she came in to meet me today she immediately petted (pet? pets?  I don't know the plural form of that word) Koda.  Bonus points number 1 - being sweet to my dog.  Then she has me walk her around the house and is saying things like "mop" and "cleaning the microwave" ... I'm sorry, what?  What is a mop?  Clean the microwave?  Are you an sure you're human?  Where is your spaceship.  Take me to your leader.  Bonus points number 2 - doing things I never would've thought of.  I literally can't wait to get home.  My house is going to look and smell amazing.  I have so many friends that say having a wonderful cleaning lady will change your life.  I'm excited for the Fulmers to experience that life change.  Bring on the life changes. 

I will admit I had a lot of concerns having someone I don't know come into my house.  And sadly, most of them centered around my dog, not so much the stuff in my house.  For example, Koda is curious.  And he feels the need to try and lick/eat the cleaning products which is NOT good for him.  Obviously.  Also, what if Koda somehow ran out of the house?  Without Maria noticing?  You know, because he can open doors by himself ... what?  Right.  Or what if she went to the car to get something and left the door open?  Or what if she was afraid of dogs and was mean to him?  Seriously the normal "What if some of my stuff gets taken?" never crossed my mind.  It was all "What if something happens to my dog?"  Ridiculous.  I know.  But sweet Maria (my aunt Joanie calls her Mary Poppins, maybe I will too) has put my fears at ease.  Mary Poppins will take care of Koda.     

Okay here is one more hint for my costumes ... they will both involve a picture ... here is a picture hint for what I'm going to be for my work Halloween Costume Party ...

And here is a picture hint of what I'm going to be to my brother and silly's party ...

This costume will, in a way, make Matt look as if he's dressed in costume, without even putting one on.  Can you guess?  Leave your guesses as comments, I would love to hear them!!!  Happy Halloween Eve Eve!!!

(PS - Feel free to be a follower of my blog I would LOVE to know people read it, it will make my day!!!)

Puppies Puppies Everywhere!

Hooray for lab puppies!  My brother and sister-in-love (or Silly as we call each other - Sister In Law Loves You, nerdy yes I know, but we love it!) are getting a puppy from the same place my parents got Bentley!  They pick her up next week, here is a picture of their little muffin ...

Isn't she SO cute!?!?  Makes me want another little baby for Koda.  I could just kiss that little face!  Bentley is her sister technically, since they are from the same daddy.  I guess they're half sisters :0)  Here is the most recent picture I have of sweet Bentley.  She is SUCH a punkin and her new sister Rigley has come to love her already.  They sleep and cuddle next to each other and when they play Rigley lets Bentley pull her all over the house on the tug of war rope they play with.  It's just too cute.

No I'm not choking her, I'm holding her little face.  She's just precious.  Seriously.  I want to keep her.

Now on to my new problem, which I've already solved so I guess it's technically no longer a problem.  Remember when I said my husband hates to dress up?  Well, he REALLY hates it.  I wasn't kidding, because he has decided that he doesn't want to wear a costume Friday night to my brother and Silly's Halloween party.  SO instead of being the King and Queen of Hearts like we were going to be (I was going to draw it on a poster board) I have come up with a solo idea ... which in essence ends up making him look like he's part of the costume.  Sorry, you will have to wait until I put up pictures to find out what it is!  I am going to Walmart to get some more of the costume elements today.  Here's a hint, it involves another wig.  That's all you get. 

And to close, I thought I'd post a picture of Koda the day we brought him home.  He was 10 weeks old so he looks a little bigger than the other babies, but I think he was just as cute at 10 weeks as he would have been at 6.

                                            

Isn't he a handsome boy!?!?  I think so :0)  Don't worry that this bed lasted about a month ... then it was tenderly ripped to shreds by the little angel sleeping on it.  Oh puppies.  Good luck Clay and Silly!

Two Halloween Costumes and A Little Bit of Neuroticism ...

That's right.  I have TWO Halloween costumes to wear on the same day!  And it's not even on Halloween.  First my company is having a Halloween Costume Party/Contest on Friday.  I'm not telling you what I'm going to be but I WILL give you a hint in a picture.  Here are some verbal hints, it has to do with purple and my wig MAY change to green (they have the same one in green)

My other costume will come with pictures as well, that one will involve both me AND Matt dressing up, WHICH I can tell you ... he's not exactly thrilled about ... his family didn't grow up pycho about holidays like mine did.  Ever since I can remember my mom has made HUGE deals out of holidays and birthdays hence being why I get so excited about both (and not just my own birthdays but everyone else's too!)  I have this feeling I will end up with all boys, who if they're like their dad won't be all about the holidays and celebrations either, BUT they and their poor dad are just going to have to put up with my nuttyness!  Heaven knows Matt already does! 

Onto the Neuroticism.  I have this new flouride mouthwash I have to use.  You know.  Because I have FIVE CAVITIES!?!?  Sorry.  Tangent.  Anyways I have an issue with mouthwash ... or anything else that has a "do not do this or this will happen" label on it.  For instance, the mouthwash says NOT to swallow it.  Duh, right?  Well, after reading this all I can think about is "What if I DID swallow it?"  "What would happen?" "Would it make me sick?" "Would my insides be flourided?" and then I have to mentally tell myself, the whole time, "Katie DON'T swallow the flouride mouthwash" ... ridiculous yes?  I think so ... but everytime I have to count "one one thousand, two one thousand" up until a minute has passed all the while saying "Don't swallow the mouthwash, don't swallow the mouthwash".  Yes, I'm nuts.  I'll admit it. 

Hopefully everyone got their invite to the Holiday Girl's Night Thanksgiving Partay.  If you didn't and want to come, just leave a comment (leave a comment anyway, I HEART them!) with your email address and I'll send it to you!  Hope to see you all there!  TTTW (ta ta til Wednesday)

Raindrops on ... Well Everything.

Can I just say how much I LOVE rainy days and at the same time HATE them when they're on a Monday morning and I have to get out of bed and go to work?  It is literally torturous.  If that's not a word it is now.  And it's used to describe rainy Monday mornings.  With every crack of thunder and burst of lightening a little bit more of me actually WISHES that I was sick.  That's how bad it is, I want to be physically ill so I can stay in bed (and/or couch) all day and listen to the thunder roll and watch the lightening strike (shout out Garth).  Ever notice how this NEVER happens on a Saturday morning?  Don't get me wrong I'm thankful for gorgeous weekends, but I swear every Saturday morning it's like the bright shining lights of Heaven are coming through my windows and sheer curtains (that was my mistake) and shining ON my face ... at 7 am ... no matter which way I roll over.  I've tried putting a pillow over my head, but WHO can sleep with a pillow over their head?  I'd rather not add the suffocation factor to the brightness that is my bedroom on Saturday and sometimes Sunday mornings.  The moral of this story?  I wish I was sick.  So I could go home.  And sleep to the rain.  Ridiculous I know, especially when my poor husband has been sick all weekend.  So hopefully I didn't just jinx myself. 

Speaking of sick.  That was the theme of our weekend.  Poor Mr. Fulmer was sick with some version of sore throat/cough/achyness.  No fun.  We were planning on going to BU Homecoming but didn't think risking our friends getting sick made sense, nor risking Matt getting sicker.  So Friday and Saturday night pretty much consisted of the same thing.  Take out and Lost.  Can I TELL you how much I love me some Lost.  At at the same time WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND!?!?!  They are NUTS!  Now mind you, we are only into the first 2 episodes of Season 3.  For all you Lost fans, Jack, Kate & Sawyer have all been captured by "The Others" (i.e. psycho creepsters who live in this "Stepford Wives" type of town).  It's pretty ridiculous how caught up I get in this show.  I gasp and put my hands over my mouth and get really mad at "The Others" ... I'm sure Matt thinks I'm a nut.  I can't help it!!!  This show has so much drama and suspense.  I now understand why all my friends were so nuts about it.  And we still have 4 full seasons to go!!!  I hope we get caught up before next season starts (which I THINK is in January?)  That's a lot of couch potato'ing between now and then.  I think I'm up for the challange ;0)

Speaking of couch potato'ing.  That is something I did NOT do yesterday.  Actually for about an hour I fell asleep while watching the Cowboy game with Matt.  I know, I know, it's against the Texan rule to sleep during your home team's football game, but I do that with all football games.  There's something about the background noise of the fans in the stadium and the announcer talking that is like a lullaby ... it lulls me right to sleep.  Football game naps are some of the best naps I take.  After I woke up from my nap I was supposed to run my 10 miles.  I had literally almost talked myself out of it, decided to put it off until today but then decided I would HATE myself if I had to do it today (which I was right, it's rainy and cold and all I want to do tonight is go home and put on PJs and hang on the couch w/ my pup)  After I finally got my rear off the couch and to the gym I turned on the TV (I was the only one there, TV all to myself) to figure out what I was going to watch for the 2 HOURS I was running, I remembered The 13 Nights of Halloween was on.  Thank the Lord for ABC Family.  Edward Sissorhands it was.  This is generally how my runs go. I start the treadmill and at about 1.7 miles I think "Oh my gosh I can't do this, I have 8.3 miles to go!  I'm stopping" ... "Yes you can Katie, keep going stop being ridiculous" ... then about mile 3 "ARE YOU JOKING you have 7 miles to go!  GET OFF THE TREADMILL" ... "What's 7 miles?  You've run that before already!" ... and then about mile 6 "You ARE going to die.  You cannot do this, if you keep going your legs will break and you will never walk again" ... "SHUT UP keep going, watch the TV" ... and then mile 8 "Okay.  This is good enough.  You didn't die.  Who really needs to hit the 10 mile mark, you should be proud to have made it this far.  Quit" ... "Seriously?  You've come this far and you're going to QUIT?  Katie, 2 miles is NOTHING" ... and then ... I'm done ... and feel great.  And that is my internal struggle.  Everytime.  It's a complete comparison to what the enemy does in your life (segway into seriousness a sec) "Katie you can't do this, and the Lord can't help you.  Don't even try and stop putting your faith there."  But if you lift your eyes to The Maker He will tell you "Child you CAN do this, you can do ALL things through Christ who strenghthens you" and then your stride gets a little bit longer, your burden gets lighter and you see, that you can do whatever it is you are trying to master, you can overcome whatever it is you are trying conquer and you have the Lord to guide and carry you the whole way through.  And on that note, I'll say goodbye on this rainy Monday and hopefully will be typing on a sunny Tuesday tomorrow!

PS - My picture is a result of my hair appt.  It may not look much different, but I THINK I'm going to go get my bangs cut a little more (who knew it was free at Toni & Guy, all you have to do is walk in!) and it's a LOT blonder :0)  And my nose looks huge for some reason ...