Life's Little Lovelies: Fringe Swimmy Giveaway

Just wanted to take a minute to share some info with you about this awesome giveaway that my friend, Ashlee, is hosting over at Life's Little Lovelies! There are 25 different ways to enter and you get an adorbs fringe bikini out of it if you win! What's not to love?!?

So head on over to her blog and check it out!

Monday Giveaway: Just By Chance Jewelry

Peace, Love, and Texas Tech

Remember the part in the last post where I talked about traveling like a mad woman?!? Yea, I also forgot to mention that my little hiney was getting right off the plane to come home, freshen up, and repack just to get back in the car to drive to Lubbock, TX! Yes. That's right, I was actually in three states in one day! Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Since my sissy has been staying with us, I decided it would be easiest on everyone if I went with her to her new student orientation. However, I only drove us for about an hour and then Shelbs took over from there--> pretty good sis!

Did I also mention how stoked I am that she will be a Red Raider? Yea, I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that!

Texas Tech Athletics Facebook Page

I was sooooooo pumped about taking her because, again, this was another opportunity for me to reminisce. I felt like I was going back to school! Woohoo, back to college! Ok not quite...

So we woke up super early Monday morning. I was right in there with all the rents and yes, I was a little nervous that someone was going to assume I was Shelb's mama...I mean, 25 is not old enough to have a 19 year old! The math just doesn't quite add up!

TTU New Student Orientation 2012:

Shelb's mission...to get registered for classes and see campus.

My mission....to get a strawberry white chocolate smoothie from Sam's Place in the SUB. Nessa (my bestie and college roomie at Tech) and I LOOOOOOOOOOOVED our strawberry white chocolate smoothies and have had some serious withdrawals since graduating! Odie (my hubs) has tried to make a copy cat, but it just isn't the same! There is something in the powder they use that makes it MAGICAL! So I went into Sam's Place and didn't see any signs of the smoothie area--> I almost fell to the ground to throw my fit right then and there! I asked the girl working if they sell smoothies anymore and she gave me the "Huh? Smoothies? We've never sold smoothies" kind of look. Of course, the only words said were "No ma'am." Hello MEAGAN! You graduated  3 years ago, things have changed! That was a bit of a wakeup call-->getting old. But then, she TOTALLY lifted my spirits when she said, "They sell smoothies at Cold Corner next door." *SIGH* Last hope! Stepped next door and.....IT WAS CLOSED! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! My life was officially over! Ok not so much, but pretty traumatic. So we continued on with our agenda for orientation and I moped {I got over it eventually}. We went into the SUB later that afternoon and I BOLTED to Cold Corner...God sure did smile down on me...IT WAS OPEN! I ordered, watched anxiously as they made it, and waited for just the right moment to take that first sip. Words CANNOT describe the deliciousness! NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING tastes better than that. So, of course, I had to take a pic of it and send it to Vanessa. Hey, a little friendly "look what I have and yooooouuuu don't" never hurt anyone right? P.S. Sorry to write a novel about a drink--> but it is THAT GOOD!

Of course, I thoroughly enjoyed showing her around campus and feeling like "the big shot." We had a blast. It was just as exciting for me as it was for her! Now we have two Red Raiders in the Kimball fam and I have a twinsy that will put her guns up along with me and my hubs! So proud of my sissy! P.S. Three different people asked me if I was registering for classes this fall...SCORE!

To end the day we had din din with another bestie of mine, Faith Table {Her last name is Meza, sounds the same as Mesa, which means table in Spanish, i.e. the name Faith Table}. I can always count on a fab time with her laughing at all the ridiculous things we did in high school. She even came over to the hotel after din for a bit to hang out. We decided to go on an adventure to get ice and a coke. Btw, no better coke than a hotel coke--> ice cold bottle from the vending machine with some ice in those little hotel cups wrapped in plastic = YUMMO! So we called it an adventure, but didn't expect it to actually be one. We walked out of the room...Faith suggested we go right, but we went left...wrong way...turned around...end of the hall, found the coke machine...realized I didn't bring any money....went back to room...got some quarters....$3.00 worth for 2 cokes...got back to the coke machine....coke was $2.00!!!...that's right $2.00/one coke...Faith and I discussed how we will talk to our grandkids about how "cheap" things were back in our day...said "forget it Shelbs, we only get one coke"...found the ice machine....went back to our room to FINALLY enjoy! Phew! Man, do I miss her!

Next morning, Shelbs and I had to stop by Red Raider Outfitter to stock up on some Tech gear, which is very difficult to find in DFW! I went in with the intentions of finding a double T auto emblem for Odie's new truck, but of course found a little something for me too! I got this adorbs Tech T in, of course, chevron! Tech has got it going on! Red Raider Outfitters always knows what's up. They even had some with a tribal pattern, but not in my size so I passed! I can wear this when I work out, or let's face it, when I feel like not really getting dressed! Also, the double T I went in for actually turned out to be an even cooler double T accompanied by the state of Texas...SWEET! I think he will LOVE IT!

And now, FINALLY, I sit here relaxing {ha!} for a little bit, before we turn around and leave again this weekend. Next on the agenda, Round Rock, TX to celebrate the 1st birthday of our sweet Kenny Boo Boo {Kennedy Ann}! I can't wait to love on her and help her celebrate turning the big 1! Her ladybug-themed party will be presh! Can't wait!

Enjoy your evening peeps!

Memories of Yellow, TX

Hubs and I are traveling again! I feel like we are always somewhere else other than home! Oh well... We are trying to get that out of our system before little sweeties start running around and our lives revolve around kiddos!

Over the weekend we were in Walsh, CO--> home of Odie's grandma, granddad, and some extended family. Walsh is a quaint little farming community in southeast Colorado and the nearest airport is in Amarillo, TX. Therefore, we had to fly into Amarillo Friday and then drive a couple of hours to Walsh. Making for a fun little trip with fam! We met Chris's mama and Steve at Dallas Love Field and flew out together from there.

Our first stop when getting off the plane was Big Texan- home of the free 72 oz steak {free IF you can eat it in its entirety}. Chris and I ate there plenty of times while living in Amarillo, satisfying the curiosity of all our friends and fam who came to visit. Just go once, see what its all about, try the 72 ouncer if you are brave enough, and get it out of your system. After that you're probably content. 

My hubs always cheeses it up in photos.

After that we had a little time to drive around and reminisce about the life of the Odoms in Amarillo, before we began our trek to Walsh. We visited...

Our old church where Chris and I got married--> Paramount Baptist Church. This was our church home while living in Amarillo and we miss it & the people in it tremendously!

Our old townhouse-->our first home.  Bittersweet memories...

Water Still--> a MUST. If you have never lived in Amarillo, you may not know about Water Still. However, Amarillo natives KNOW about Water Still, the absolute BEST place to get tea of all kinds, {16 different flavors}! My favies are sweet raspberry and sweet peach. Chris LOVES the spearmint tea, which is also delish!  Plus, minty fresh breath with that baby. Other yummy flaves--> green tea, orange mango, blueberry green, mixed berry green, and even some yummo lemonade that you can drink solo or in an Arnold Palmer. I.e. amazing place! P.S. Did I mention they sell water too?

A very dear place in my heart, my old school--> Sleepy Hollow! I started my teaching career there, teaching 4th grade. I had SOOOOOOO much fun with those fourthies and could not have asked for a better place to start. I will always miss the kiddos, the staff, and the families! Super duper special just doesn't say enough!

 Odom Wedding Reception--> Hilton Garden Inn. Nothing but a great time there!

It was so wonderful being able to spend some time taking ourselves back to our beginnings. Beginnings of marriage, beginnings of careers, beginning of friendships... We will always adore the city of Amarillo (Yellow), Texas and hope to come back again soon when we have more time to catch up with some old friends!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend! 

My Sweet Mama

Just had to take the time to devote a special post to my sweet mama! Who, by the way, is BEE-U-T-FUL {obviously}!

I went MIA in May {shocker}. Things got a little crazy. My mama went in for a routine check up and they found a lump that they wanted to get a second opinion on. That was enough to spook us a bit. So she went in for some tests and the word we dreadfully feared and hoped we would not ever have to say, became a part of our vocab. She was diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer; the lump was malignant. That word alone was a difficult thing to say and was terrifying to think about. However, Mom embraced an "ain't no thang" attitude and had so much faith in the doctors and their ability to take care of her. Hey, if Mom isn't worried then everything is A-OK right?

Google Images

So we prayed and continued to have faith that it would all work out. The tough thing about cancer is that you have to take it step by step and each time a test is run or an appointment is had, you have to wait for what seems like forever to learn of the results or determine what happens next. Well, we knew this was cancer, but we didn't know if it had spread or if this was something that could easily be taken care of. So Mom went in for a bone and lung scan and after waiting again, for what seemed like forever, it came back NEGATIVE! HUGE sigh of relief! That, of course, was the most terrifying part. The last thing you want is for cancer to spread into other parts of the body. Next step was to figure out where to go from there. Mom's mom {my sweet G-ma--> who, by the way, had the same "ain't no thang" attitude} went through this already and had a mastectomy. Because of that and other factors, we knew my mom's risks were very high and so the fear set in that if not everything was taken, will it come back? If we don't try to eliminate it all, will this nightmare become a reality again? So Mom spoke with the doctors and the doctors gave her the options, but strongly suggested a double mastectomy. This would be her best chance of never having to go through this again and kicking it to the curb. It was already incredibly difficult to pin point the area and to top it off, her risk factors were through the roof. Hence, the decision to have a double mastectomy.

Well mama went in for surgery and they also removed a lymph node. ALL of which came back negative from what they could tell on the spot! We just needed to wait on official results.  Major plus and cause for much optimism! She recovered so nicely with the help of many AMAZING family and friends who supported her, prayed for her, and helped her every step of the way. We waited for a couple of weeks and now we can all say with confidence, that they got all of it and she will not be needing ANY radiation or chemo! Yay!!! Praise the Lord!

I know this will always be a scar, but how fortunate are we to be able to get through it and put it behind us? We get to make it just a memory and move on with confidence knowing that this was just a hurdle and that my mom is cancer free!

Google Images

I always knew I aspired to be like my mother and she was all I ever wanted to be. However, this whole situation could not have affirmed that anymore! She has been the most positive person throughout it all. When we were worried or scared, she was so courageous and comforting. She is not bitter or angry. In fact, she praises the Lord every day for all the things that went right through all of this and all the struggles she overcame. Our God is an amazing God and I am so proud of all the friends and family that we get to claim as our own. Truly a blessing!

Google Images

My Mom is my best friend and I could not ask for a better one. Love you mama!

America the Beautiful: July 4, 2012

This fourth of July was definitely a good time for the hubs and I! We decided last minute that we wanted to go spend it with two of our fave peeps, Mr. and Mrs. Vanessa Hawley--> cliche and overused joke but still funny! Anyway, we adore them and appreciate any time we get with them!

On 4th we floated the Guadalupe River. Of course, our fears were that it would be like Cancun on spring break, JAMPACKED! But, we braved it anyway, hoping for the best and it was worth it! Sooooooo relaxing and only moderately populated. Great time! I mean, who doesn't want to spend several hours in the beautiful sunshine floating down a river? With sunscreen of course! Fun fun fun!

Our sweet sweet hubbies insisted on carrying all the tubes. We weren't going to argue...we were pooped!

This pic says it all! We were exhausted after the river so the rest of the trip was pretty low key. We had dinner at Two Step in San Antonio that evening. This is a fun little place with great food and live music on the patio...btw, BEST chicken fried steak I have EVER had! We highly recommend it!

Aren't they adorbs?

To end the night we came home to the Hawleys'  humble abode and watched a terrible terrible movie. But...we made a giant pallet complete with lots of candy and soda and took it back old school to the college days, making the movie a little less terrible. Does it get any better than that?!?

On our way home, MoMo (me) and CoCo (Chris) got to stop by and have dinner with the Swaffords and see our sweet girl, Kenny boo boo! We even got to read her bedtime stories. Yes, please! Oh and remarkable attention span for an 11 month old!

Chris took his reading seriously!

To end the week, we went to a Ranger's game with my sissy. It was her first MLB experience and now she can't wait to go again. Planning to squeeze one more in before she leaves us! We also got the fireworks show we skipped out on for 4th. Yay!

All in all, we had a fab time celebrating America's birthday! Hope you all did too!

Summer Faves: My summer is here!

Summa summa summatime! -->Always a good jam!

I just finished summer school. Chicka chicka what what! I am FINALLY on summer vacay! Therefore, I am once again attempting to be a true blogger! I told you I would be a pitiful excuse for a blogger until summer rolled around.  So here it goes...

Summer has been fab thus far! Hubs and I got a new roomie for the summer. My little sissy is staying with us this summer and working her little hiney off waiting tables for some mula! She is headed to Lubbock, TX in the fall to attend Texas Tech, which just so happens to be my alma mater and my hubby's. Wreck 'em Tech! Yes, I am an obnoxious Red Raider and yes, I always will be:-)

My hubs has been so spoiled with her here! Shelbs goes to the gym with him, they watch {lame} TV shows together, and they even play a few video games. All of which, I have no desire to do! However, they have enticed another ambitious goal of mine this summer--> to work out! Sweets would be so pumped if I picked that up. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can...

I have definitely been sleeping in AS LATE AS POSSIBLE lately. Been spending my mornings sipping on coffee {or coke... I only drink coffee when I want to feel like a grown up coffee drinker in the morn}. I've also caught a lot of my fave daytime shows! One of which is a new show, Bethenny. I've watched her on Bravo so long now and find her to be hilarious and very real. On top of that I'm lovin' some of Live with Kelly, Kathie Lee and Hoda on The Today Show, Nate Berkus, and of course Ellen. Heaven...yes, just a slice!

I also plan to indulge in some DIY therapy this summer...including some for home and for school. Almost all of which were inspired by Pinterest--DUH! Two that I am most excited about are...

DIY vintage coffee table
The tutorial can be found over at DIY Vintage Chic--> cannot WAIT to do this with A LOT of help from my hubby Odie.

Crate Seats

These crate seats are all over Pinterest and I am going to make them for my little sweets to sit on at the writing station and/or guided reading table. I found this tutorial over at What The Teacher Wants.

Ambition never hurt anyone right?

I have also made a list of things I am loving this summer and things I am wanting this summer.

1. Coral and gold-  {See outfit above for proof of my current liking...}

Here is a little DIY nail design I am wearing right now with these fun summer colors. This was also Pinterest inspired. I just love love love coral for summer! My fave skinnies are coral, my fave top is coral, and almost everything in between fits into my coral obsession! Oh and not to mention my obsession with this everlasting trend, chevron. Therefore, I squeezed all that into this DIY mani.  P.S.  DIY means it is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination!

Essie- Cute as a Button- Best EVA!

Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen- White

Maybelline Express Finish- Classic Black

Sinful Colors-All About You

I also just recently purchased this beautiful statement necklace. Cannot wait to wear it! Found it at http://www.baublebar.com/ where I have ordered some other cute accessories too. LOVE it!

Tangerine Teardrop Bib

2. Would DIE for these ombre dipped pink pants!!! Definitely a wish! I will keep dreaming...

Rich and Skinny- Dipped Pink

3. Lovin' these sideways cross necklaces because they can accompany so many other pieces. Great for layering or just simplicity. WANT!

Sideways Cross Necklace



4. Considering this Chevron Monogrammed Otterbox for iPhone, but encountering some hesitations. For one, my name is Meagan Michelle Odom, hence the lame monogram MOM, which is totally not me...yet! Also, it is an Otterbox...anyone else have major issues with the stretchy silicone on an Otterbox? Regardless, I'm still thinking about it. Meaning... someone needs to step in and tell me "NO!"

Chevron Monogrammed iPhone Case

These are just a few items from the loooooooong list of my faves this summer. What are you diggin' this summer? Happy mid-week everyone!

A Long-winded Catch Up...

March 17th... Yes, that would be the date of my last post! I was very overambitious during spring break and genuinely thought I would be keeping up with this. However, I am eating my words. On the other hand, summer break is only 37 school days away, so hold tight... bloggeriffic Odom is headed your way!

Since my last post, Sweets and I have been doing lots of traveling, working, and cleaning. We did some serious spring cleaning and it feels so good to have an excuse to go shopping! I got rid of a lot of clothes and so did Hubs. Therefore, I need to replace them, right? I also did some serious organizing. One of my prouder spring cleaning moments was the organization of my swimmies. I got this idea from Bethenny Frankel while watching an episode of Bethenny Ever After. Who knew my OBSESSION with reality TV would work to my benefit?

My swimsuits have always overtaken a big chunk of a drawer and wasted a lot of space. However, now they take up the space of one little shoebox-size tub and have a neat little home in my closet. First, I took all my swimmies and put them in quart-sized Ziploc bags. This makes them very easy to identify and it keeps tops and coordinating bottoms together. Then, I placed the baggies in clear tubs and BOOM! Instant organization! Love it! However, after noticing that all of them fit into one box I have come to the conclusion that I may need to add another swimmy box. Just a thought...

Check out this old door I found at an antique mall in Hobbs with my mama over spring break! It is old and vintage and full of potential! This will be our new headboard once it's done. I'm sure that will happen right after the end tables that are still waiting in the garage for their new identity! Anyway, I'm so proud of this $35 buy! Yes, 35 dollars...HOLLA!

The big brown door of course...

We hit work hard when we got back from spring break and we are still waiting for it to slow down. I know...it's a little thing called "life" right? Because of our rushed and hectic lives lately, we are planning a nice date night this weekend. We are going downtown for a "2D" date night; Dinner & Dave Barnes! If you don't know Dave Barnes...YOU MUST! He is a phenomonal artist who is guaranteed to give you the "feel goods". Chris and I spend most Saturdays cleaning to this guy and we forget we are even cleaning! He's a "sing into the Swiffer, use your broom as a guitar" kinda artist!

For those of you wondering what I might be talking about, here's a little sneak peek. This is Odom and I's fave song of Dave Barnes' and this is just one of MANY MANY great ones. His Pandora station is a jar full of lovies! Take a minute to enjoy!

Dave Barnes- Nothing Fancy

Did I also mention that I LOOOOOOOVE The Office and cried every step of the way through Jim and Pam's on screen love story. Such a perfect Jim and Pam song!

And another you might now...
Dave Barnes- God Gave Me You- Yes, his is the original, and yes it is UH-MAZING!

My latest obsession...CHALKBOARD PAINT! Latest joke around the Odom household, "Get the couch! Chalkboard paint the couch, STAT!" Now, I know chalkboard is not the latest fad, but for me, making it all myself is! I walk through my house looking for things I can chalkboard paint. It's TOO EASY! I started painting vases with chalkboard paint after I saw Ashlee Nichols' (Life's Little Lovelies) post about some presh chalkboard vases she bought. SOOOOOO CUTE! To make, all you have to do is scratch up the glass a bit with some sandpaper and then spray paint away!
Here is a vase I did for my mom-in-law for her birthday. I'll post more when I'm done with it all. I've got my utensil holder "under the knife" along with some more vases, and other random things.

Now to leave you with a little flutter in your heart... As I was enjoying recess today with my sweeties, I couldn't help but step back on this GORGEOUS day and admire them. They are so curious about the world around them. I watched so many of them catch butterflies and other little insects out of curiosity. However, the thing that really struck me was how compassionate they all are. They gently picked up the insects and watched so patiently as they crawled across their hands. Then, when they satisfied their curiosity, they gently set them back down on the ground or let them fly and went on their way! What a wonderful world we would live in if we had this same compassion as adults? Wow! Those are the things that remind me of why I have the BEST job in the world! Very blessed...

Happy Tuesday to you all! Tomorrow = Wednesday = mid week = YIPPEE!