apologies.

Oh my- I have been a neglectful blogger. I am sorry! We have just been all over the map for the month of December- frankly, its been hard to sit down, load pictures and post. Let's start with the beginning of December- we started the month with a trip to Kansas City with the English Clan! We had a great time eating, shopping, and taking a trip down memory lane with Lanier, Adam, Ginger and Jason. Sarah and I let them be our tour guides as we played all over the city. The awesome KC Plaza had their lights lit making it a certified winter wonderland. AND, I finished my Christmas Shopping that weekend.





We came back from KC and headed down to Tupelo, to see the Carrie Underwood/Little Bigtown Show- Which was amazing, and I have to say... these artists are legit. All of them. Musicians, vocally, etc, it was the best country show I have seen. Since I work with LBT's management, Becky hooked us up with their seats and some meet and greets. Pretty funny actually, we were the only ones in line that didnt have their faces on a tshirt. To each their own...



We had a christmas tree fiasco. We always do a real tree and this year we put somewhere around 1100 lights on our tree. We were watching the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller (tivoed- did you see Jamie Foxx??) when we heard this buzzing noise. Half of the lights went out on the tree. Jason started looking around and noticed that 3 of the receptacles were MELTING. I mean, hello, fire department.
So, he had to take the colored ones off- and we are making do with around 900 lights currently. BUT, at least we are safe and sound. Here's a photo of the tree- our star is a little off centered... we cant figure it out...



Merry Christmas!

musings.

Well, I must confirm the devastating rumor that my FAVORITE magazine, home inspirational bible, the expression of my style bleeding out onto its pages, Cottage Living, is closing its doors. Gasp. Shock and awe. Good thing I have their last 3 years in a tupperware box.
My cousin Todd works for Time Inc and said it was fact. How will I go on? Domino? It's a good start. I love their mags too.





On another note, my globally minded and fashion forward sis brough my attention to the amazing TOMS website and shoe mission. For every pair purchesed, they donate a pair to children without shoes. They have boots and slip ons for Men and Women, and tiny toms for the little ones. If you are in Jackson, TN, The Boutique sells them. If you are in another tow, checkout www.tomsshoes.com for stores that carry them. They are affordable, not to mention cute- and you are paying it forward. Love it.






And finally, I would like to welcome my hilarious, talented, good looking younger brother to the blogging world. That's right ladies, there's a male blogger among us with a very amusing rhetoric that upon reading, I am sure you will want to visit time and time again. Check out www.dandamonium.blogspot.com to check out his rules for blogging, and his very first post. say hello! He would LOVE to hear from you.

Fa La La La La Tagged...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? UM, paper. Dont think I havent had it picked out since August. I'm a freak like that.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial in the dining room, Real in the Den.

3. When do you put up the tree? This is always a toss up. I like to give thanksgiving its proper recognition, but i get the itch the week before thanksgiving. I solve it by getting all of my stuff OUT, but placing it/decorating once Tgiving is over.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually around New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog? Unfortunatley, no. But I L O V E Mullins Spice.. (and now they have Mullins Spice Sugar Free, which only has 5 calories. Yesssss...)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Secretary desk and typewriter. Oh, and the Nintendo.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? Reid (my bro, who is a fashion hound like me)

9. Do you have a nativity scene? We don't. Hmm, I just realized that.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. It's ridiculous.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Cannot post at this time, afraid the reader will happen upon it.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Love Home Alone and The Holiday.. excited about possibly adding "Four Christmases" to that list!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes. Ooops.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Morning breakfast at Mom and Dads.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, colored and white.

17. Favorite Christmas song? My Pottery Barn Christmas Collection. Yes, I said Collection. My favorite is "Merry Christmas Baby".

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Ugh, travel. Does that change when you have children?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen & Rudolph!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Eve with grandparents, Morn with Mom and Dad, et all.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Over Commercialization. I will spare you of my rant.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? You know me.. I love lime greens and bright reds, turquoise and royal blues...I get an ornament for every vacation, or anything special that happens that year.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? How can you choose this? My grandmother makes this cheesy spegetti bake that is fab.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I have had the hardest time making a list this year!

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Post away girls!

27. Does Santa wrap your gift or leave them unwrapped? Wrapped. Always wrapped.

I tag Daeon B, Kami R., Kendy and Rhondi.

bloggers, meet charles.

Well...

Meet the little live-in. Mandi found this presh pup wandering the lonely road and after 3 days of canvasing local neighborhoods, vets, emergency pet care, the humane society and beyond. . . we cant find his parents! No collar, but we know he is a pet because of his grooming and people skills.
So, we've been fostering ahem, Charles, (Jason and I affectionately call him that because he is so poised. We are convinced that if he could talk he would have a very deep British brogue.)

This pup is officially on the market for adoption if you know of a deserving home. He's been hanging out with Mattie outside during the day- so he is very comfortable both inside and out.

Very, very sweet and loving... he would make someone a great pet.

Until then, he will continue to get some good TLC from the Goolsbys.

CHRISTMAS INFO NOW POSTED

Hey Everyone-
I have posted some christmas card info on my CG designs blog and there are some CUTE things this year-
Check them out!!!

has it really been 10 years?

The first two weekends in October Jason and I spent attending the Copiah Academy Class of 1998 Reunion, and then traveled to Savannah for the HCHS HighSchool Reunion Weekend. I mean, seriously- we were TOTALLY worn out by the end of them, but overall glad we went. Did you all experience this? We kind of wanted to go and kind of didnt... but did, of course.

Jason's was totally fun and laid back.... just like a Southern Tailgate party. He graduated with a class of ahem, 49, and most of them showed up. It was a good time. I have only met a handful of his school friends, they are scattered all over from Seminary to MedSchool. It was fun to see his classmates and hear about him in highschool!

After that, we traveled to Savannah so I could show him how a class of 280, public school does a reunion. Ha! Jason is such a trooper... we literally showed up at his, and at mine he was hauling garbage and breaking down tents fro the pre-game tailgate. By now he knows that it is sometimes hard for me to sit on the sidelines. We had a great time at the tailgate before the HOME football game in Savannah on Friday night. Then Saturday we had the reunion at the ... wait for it... fairgrounds!
Most of my high school friend group was able to make it, so it was fun to see everyone- people I literally havent seen in a decade.

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GO COLONELS AND TIGERS!!!

Runway for a Cure Exclusive Piece

Hey Friends and fashionistas-
Here's a great little piece that is ultra trendy and supports the American Cancer Society. My friend Dena Nance, who owns whats in store in Franklin designed these for a fashion show I was working on and gave all of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. The earrings are 100% copper, and the necklace is a copper pendant on a rose gold over sterling silver chain. The earrings sell for $30, and the necklace for $35. This is VERY high quality for these prices.

I have worn mine all weekend and got TONS of compliments. And don't worry, you don't have to have copper bracelets and shoes to match- this year we will mix all of the metalics. (I like to pretend I am Rachel Zoe when I say that). So pair it with your Yurman and Lagos to be beautifully frosted.

Let me know if you are interested! I will ship it right to you.

enjoy vacation...

because you never know if this is going to happen on your way home.

Seaside...

Some much needed R&R for the birthday boy...

katie tagged me.

Here are the rules as I understand them:
1. Include a link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell six unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag six bloggers by linking.
5. Leave a comment for each blogger.

A. I like to fold clothes piping hot out of the dryer. If for some reason I cant get to them right away and they get cold, I will stick them back in the dryer and get them hot again, transfer to the chair, and refold.

B. Magazines. If I have not read my magazines, I cannot take someone else reading ahead of me. For example- if Cottage
Living is here, and laying on my counter and Jason flips through it I wont let him tell me about it.

C. I think I have the nose of a bloodhound. I can always tell when dishes need washing, trash needs emptying, a musty or mildew smell. Jason thinks I am crazy. Certified.

D. Sometimes this is good, and sometimes bad. I have the tendency to turn everything into an event. Example: Jason says he wants to have guys over to watch football. First thought of mine: Pewter trays, catering, stock the fridge- so I start planning the menu and asking questions about the schedule... to which he replies " babe, I just want some guys over to watch football". Got it.

E. I put on deoderant after I shower and before I go to bed. Always.

F. If Bravo was the only channel on TV, I think i would be perfectly fine. Seriously, my tivo is on a constant state of record.

I tag Ginger, Jess Hill and Rhondi.

Kansas City -

Jason loves Kansas City. And, I have to tell you, it's one of my favorites too and is totally underated on l flavor/coolness" scale. We spent a week there in July for a conference and were able to take Mandi and Ashley with us! It was a lot of fun- Jason was so glad to finally show them the city he loves so much- and I was glad to have some company while he was in sessions.

So, we hit the fave's...Royals Game, Jackstack BBQ, Minsky's Pizza, The Plaza and even the new area, the power and light district. Seriously...www.powerandlightdistrict.com (go there... so cool.)

And had a great, great time...
here's some pics..

check out the blog

For some new stationery designs!!!

www.courtneygoolsbydesigns.blogspot.com

Where did all the good genes go?

I know I just posted about Lindsey, but she had a friend that got a new camera and they were messing around trying to get some fun shots, and she got these.

I mean seriously. How did I miss these genes?

Seriously.

sister

I know it's been a while since some of you have seen little Lindsey. She just started her JUNIOR year at HCHS (gasp, my senior year of high school was her Kindergarden year) ... and is super involved with extra curricular activities and is just too cute these days.

Wanted to post a pic of her, and ask you to pray for her as she begins this year.

I mean, what a pumpkin?

Back to School Bag, or whatever...

Hey wanted to post these on here... These canvas totes have been flying out of here since I got them, and I had one monogrammed for Shea's Birthday and sent it to her. I've been shipping them all over.. (we were at the Opryland hotel this week and someone commented on my "Darling Bag". I use it as a computer tote, but it would be great for a back to school gift, a gym bag, or whatever.
AND, they are on sale for $30.00, or with monogram for $35.00


I have them in pink/chocolate and in this blue/green pattern.

You can comment and I will send you my email address if you are interested.
Thanks!

08.06.05

Happy Anniversary my lovely.

Topics?

Hey-
Jason and I have been asked to do a couple of sessions at this college retreat that we are helping lead this weekend. And it is bizarre to think how much L...i....f....e has gone by since we were actually "students" at one of these things. So, we have been really thinking about what to discuss/teach (there are SO many roads we could take) and I was wondering what YOU think would be relevant, interesting, helpful....
What do you think that that demographic needs to hear/ discuss? We have a few things already planned but are open to any suggestions.

Thoughts?

4th of July

Jason and I were all over the map for the 4th of July... he didnt work that weekend so we tried to squeeze every minute out of the weekend. We headed to Pickwick first, (what is the 4th without Pickwick?) to spend it with the family and our long time 4th of July lake buddies.. the Aultmans. We were in the slip for part of the day on Friday because of a little rain, then we headed out for the afternoon, dinner and fireworks. I made these star cookies for the Hopewell Church Fellowship.





Then early Saturday morning, we headed to Vardaman, Sweet potato capital, and Jason's family's place. Every year without fail they do the Hog Roast. It is the highlight of the community and around 100 people come. They do games, fireworks, a HUGE meal and music. Jason loves to go, and be with his BIG family (70 of the 100 were cousins, aunts and uncles). We arent able to get there that often. It was a great time.. and my brownie trifle was a HIT! Check out some pics!

Mississippi Moonshine

Hey everyone- Meet Dan's Band, Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy. This is an original song, written by Dan and Jamie, and has been entered on GAC's Next Country Star Contest. Check out the video, and then go vote!





The new video for Mississippi Moonshine has been entered in The Next GAC Star contest. We entered at the end of last week and did quite well in a very short period of time, spending pletny of time in the top ten including holding down first place at least once. To check out the video, go to musicnation. com/music/jamiedavis/mississippi-moonshine.


Voting has just started for this week.


One weekly semifinalist will be determined based on overall vote totals, while a panel of music industry insiders will select the other. At the start of each new week, the voting resets to zero and we start fresh. So the earlier you enter The Next GAC Star, the more chances you will have to compete to become a semifinalist. At the end of eight weeks of voting, a collection of celebrity judges will narrow 16 semifinalists down to six finalists, and we will announce those six country music hopefuls on August 17.


Watch the show tomorrow, Tuseday July 1 at 8pm or again at midnight (central time).


There is a possibility that they will play our video!!

HOW TO VOTE...
OK...Go to gactv. com, scroll over the word "artists", scroll down and click on "Next GAC Star", Start the "head 2 head" player, or simply go to musicnation. com/music/jamiedavis/mississippi-moonshine and click Vote Now. You only have to watch 15 seconds of the videos and then either select " = " or "I prefer this one", then it moves on to the next two videos.


Do this until you get to "Mississippi Moonshine" by Jamie Davis & Soul Gravy, and then VOTE FOR US!!!!!

(By clicking the "=" before the videos load, you can burn through the head-to-head competitors more quickly. We're not necessarily recommending it, we're just sayin'...)

Sprucin' up the Place.

Well, I am back. After a Photoshop CS3 Migraine of trying to make my own banner, background, upload photos and etc... I opted to find a template to my liking online, and this one will work, but I have lost my link list. So I will have to add you all back later.

We have been busy with trips to the lake, with friends and family, work, and in our spare time, doing a few things around the house. So, I decided this post, in lieu of my new template, would be dedicated to that.

I know I have told you about what a handy man Jason is. I mean literally he subscribes to the magazine, "Handy Man" and it gives him all sorts of inspiration for projects in our home. Example... our leaning bookcases in the den. He made these to fit our first condo in Nashville, and they were already in the house when I moved in after the honeymoon. It was a great
He built our dining room table, coffee table, and now... built ins for my/"our" office. He finished the doors and put them on, and they are perfect for holding his personal library, and all of my stationary stuff.

Also, Mandi painted my guest room and bathroom! They look so good... and the copper diamonds on the wall in the bedroom are so cool. It is hard to tell in this picture, but she also distressed the chair rail to give it the shabby look that I love.


We've also been working so hard in the yard this Spring and Summer. Since the Tornado, we've had to build a new fence, get a new roof and totally re-do flower beds, etc. Our yard is finally green and our hydrangeas are in bloom, so I wanted to post a few pics. I have really gotten into potting this year as well. I love to find urns and just mix and match a bunch of different plants in them. My mother is loving this.



Jason also did this brick project. (For some reason I cant get the picture to upload) He pulled up 4 boxwood's and put down these pavers to give our sloping yard more even beds. In the beds he planted Tulips, Variegated Monkey Grass, a blue hydrangea, and some all-season azaleas. Of course not everything is blooming because they are newly planted, but we are FINALLY enjoying our yard. All we are missing is a flag on our posts. I love a flag on a house.


And last but not least, Mattie got her Summer Shave. She is so happy now, and rolls around in her baby pool (i know) and acts like she is hot to trot.

To lightening bugs and summer tans!
Court