This year

I came accross this pin and thought this would be a great start to my 2014. I don't know about you but I do better when I have a visual. 2013 was great, I'll share the recap soon but big  changes are coming in the L house for 2014. We are excited.

This year….



A bad habit I’m going to break:
Cursing, my mouth is terrible.

A new skill I’d like to learn:
I would love to learn how to properly use my sewing machine. I would love to make a quilt out of H’s baby clothes.

A person I hope to be more like:
My husband. He has the patience’s of mother Theresa.

A good deed I’m going to do:I’m going to send random pick me up/encouraging cards to my friends and family. Who doesn’t love mail?

A place I’d like to visit: I defiantly make it a goal to see the ocean at least once a year.

A book I’d like to read:Not sure on this one? Any suggestions?

A letter I’m going to write:A five year wedding anniversary love letter to my husband

A new food I’d like to try:More GREENS. “If it came from a plant, eat it: if it was made in a plant, don’t”

What are some of your 2014 goals?

Christmas 2013

We have another Christmas in the books. It’s amazing all this hustle and bustle of the holidays and BOOM after 30minutes you are left with wrapping paper (or bags with tissue paper in my case) thrown all over the house and everyone is in a gift coma.

We started our Christmas Festivities Monday night with candle light service then Christmas Eve night with the Christmas program at church. I always love the candles during silent night.

Christmas Eve night ended with friends and wine of course.

Christmas morning, M and I woke up super early to put together H’s bike. (Sorry no pictures. I got a new camera and I don’t know how to work it. 98% of the pictures are blurry) Talk about testing your marriage. Want to know how strong your love is for your husband? Make him get up at 6am to put a bike together. I’m sure me holding the instructions and asking “what does this go too?” helped. It was worth it. H was so excited. The look on her face was priceless


My sister and M’s sister both were able to make the trip to AR. We are so thankful for both of them. It was nice to have some family there with us.

I did take the liberty to throw myself a 30 min pity party. It’s so hard being away from friends and family during the holiday. I missed the loud crazy chaos that comes with being in STL.

In my head, I thought no worries we are going to start new family tradition here… the three of us. In my mind I had planned this huge full course meal on the good china READ: Chinet paper plates.. I kid I kid.

I was going to serve up a nice meal with all the fixing. EXCEPT, I failed to actually go to the store before Christmas Eve to get all of the stuff to make the fixings. WIFE/MOMMY FAIL so we had Chinese instead.

God really has a way of gut checking me. While getting Chinese, M noticed a family struggling to pay for their meal. Before I even blinked M told the hostess that we will be paying for their meal. (349,302 reason why I love this man)
I was thinking wow; M just really blessed that family. I began telling M how sweet that was of him and how he has such a giving heart. He quickly cut me off and said “Amie, we are so fortunate, we have roof over our head, food in our stomach and our health. Christmas isn’t about us; it’s about giving and about H”

And…..I’ll stop there.

When did M become Ghost of Christmas Past?


He was right, it isn’t about me. It’s about H and that little girl had the time of her life yesterday. Having TWO aunts there just made her day. M and I took the opportunity to sneak off into the bedroom to watch a movie. We stopped our movie a few times and just to listen to the laughter that came from the living room. Priceless.

We felt very blessed. I went to bed feeling very blessed and with the desire to have 3 more children. I was trying to convince M that if we couldn’t be surrounded by my crazy house full of family we’d have to just make more babies and fill our house with crazy. Makes total sense right?

Oh and for those who are on FB and saw this lovely post from M.

I did not get an electric cigarette, beef jerky, a cell phone charger or anything else that can be bought at a gas station. Last minute Larry came through with a garage door opener and my running wish list. #hethinkshe’sfunny

FIVE ON FRIDAY

It’s Friday before Christmas, normally I’d be walking around here cheeseing like a Dorito but this girl has to work Sunday. Ugh sometime payroll can be a big pain in the arse. Thankfully after Sunday, I will be off. Is everyone ready for Christmas? The L’s are not, but soon very soon we will have all of our presents wrapped, the house will smell like baked goods and mamma’s glass will be full of wine…. Tis the season

O.N.E
Tomorrow M and I are venturing out in the Christmas Shopping Hell. I hope we are still married when we get home. What are we searching for you ask? You’d think the cure for cancer. To me that’s the only thing deemed important enough to shop the Saturday before Christmas. We are in search for:

The pop the pig looks fun to me. H is at the age where she LOVES to play games.

The house is a different story. While it’s cute and H will love it, our house is starting to look like Toys R Us.

T.W.O.
Yesterday was just one of those days. I should have known it was going to be bad. When I got out of bed to turn my alarm off, my foot got stuck in the bottom of my pj pants and I totally tripped and fell….into the wall. Just call me Grace. I get to work and my day get worse and worse, I’ll spare you the details. Instead of crying I excused myself from work. I normally don’t get off in time to pick H up from school, so I was really looking forward to surprising her. The kids were outside playing when I went to pick her up. I opened the door outside, searching for my child… I hear from way across the playground… “mommy” and little H is just a running towards me… BEST.PART.OF.MY.DAY.

T.H.R.E.E
Working in a hospital I see lot of patience who come from different walks of life. Some patience walk around with smiles and some patience walk around with tears in their eyes. To me it’s a reality check. I have a lot to be thankful for. Some people will be spending Christmas in a hospital room. I feel very blessed that by God’s Grace we are in good health.

F.O.U.R
We miss you Linda. A lot… like a lot… a lot. We can’t believe it’s been a year. We know you are smiling down and watching us every day. We hope we are making you proud. #andnowimcrying

F.I.V.E
Merry Christmas to you all…

Bad Cop Good Cop

Good Cop Bad Cop

Let us reflect on an evening at the L house. Last night to be exact. Maybe I’m a little too close to shark week, maybe I got hit with the reality stick but I am realizing I am the bad cop at home.

Echem.

Example ONE:We come home and H immediately throws her shoes on the floor, takes her pants off and makes herself comfy on the couch. Somehow she has found a box of Cheez--its and starts going to town on them.

Me: Honey, we shouldn’t eat Cheeze- it’s before dinner.
M otherwise called “H’s most favorite person in the house: oh, it’s ok if she has a few.
REALLY?!
Me: bad cop- 1
M: bad cop-0

Example TWO: H and Daddy are playing in her room. And by “playing” I mean pulling every toy out and digging through her dress up box. The place was a disaster. I join in on the fun. When it’s time to take a bath I say lets clean up. H throws a fit and M gives me the “oh, does she have too”
Me: bad cop-2
M: good cop-0

Example THREE:After bath time, which M gave her a bath. READ: let her play in the water for 15 minutes while he watches the sports recap on ESPN. H asked me if she can have some candy. I say no because it’s almost time for bed. She gets upset running back to him and says “mamma said no” QUESTION: why can’t he say no?
Me: bad cop- 3
M: good cop-0

The list goes on and on. I realize M and I were raised TOTALLY different. He takes on more of the “let’s be friends” approach. Me I take on the “I am the parent, you are the child” That little girl has M wrapped around his finger. Yes, he does punish her, Yes I maybe a little more stern with her (because I’m around her more) BUT I am realizing we need to find a happy balance. No it’s not the end of the world if she has a few cheese-It before dinner or it her bedroom is complete destroyed. M always tells me to relax.
I tell him to start telling her no every once in a while so I don’t have to always be the fun police.

How do you find a happy medium? Are you the fun police?

Ya’ll have fun while I go bedazzle my fun police badge

SWW

Glory! We are one week from Christmas folks! Is anyone else ready for Christmas to be here so we can drink egg nog all day?! THIS GIRL IS!

This week, I am appropriately say SO WHAT who cares to….

I just mailed out our Christmas cards yesterday. They have been sitting on our dining room table signed sealed and ready to be delivered since Thanksgiving.

I wrapped gifts yesterday and most of them are in bags with tissue paper. I’m horrible at wrapping.

I ate French onion dip right out of the container (with lay’s chips) yesterday. I have lost total control when it comes to food.

I haven’t ran, or even thought about running since the Turkey Trot. ON THANKSGIVING. Oh my word. It’s bad.

I still have to find gifts for my mom, dad, and Mike. The stores are going to be crazy this weekend and I have no idea what to get them.

I am totally disappointed in the Homeland season finale. How could they?

I have a secret and I’m the worst at keeping secrets. #noimnotprego

I refused to respond to rude emails at work. I simply delete them. What happened to the Holiday Spirit?

What are you saying so what to today?

Finish the Sentence with Jake & Holly

Today I'm linking up with Holly and Jake for Finish the Sentence

1. My favorite Christmas was.... As a child my favorite Christmas was when my sister and I each got cabbage patch doll, with a stroller and a crib. I was so happy that we didn’t have to share. As an adult, they are all great. I mean a day off work to spend with the family, gifts and Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog. Does it get any better?

2. The worst Christmas I had... hmm? Last year wasn't the worst but certainly akward. My MIL passed away 18 days before Christmas. We thought my husband was going to Kim Kardashian cry all Christmas day. We were all on pins and needles. He disappeared in the room for a couple of hours. We were sure he was in there sulking. To our dismay his ass was in there playing online poker and drinking white Russians.

3. That one gift that made me scratch my head and say, "Hmmmm" was... a box of Kleenex. My crazy aunt literally wrapped a box of Kleenex and gave me and my sister each one. AND it wasn’t even the good kind. It was that cheap one ply crap.

4. One year I....hope to spend Christmas in NYC

5. I think the worst gift to give is....those nasty holiday lifesavers. You know what I’m talking about. They come in those cheesy story book containers.

6. At Christmastime I typically.... buy a gift for someone and keep it for myself.

7. Typically, family Christmas....If we are in STL, it’s usually a house full of people, kids running around like banshees, men downstairs doing lord knows what, women gathered around the table with bottles and bottles of wine. It's wonderful. IF we are in AR, it’s usually just me, mike and H. It’s pretty low key. Someone from back home will try to Face Time us which never works when you are 3 bottles deep into the wine.

8. If I could change one thing about the Holiday season....it would be mandatory to be off the week of Christmas….paid

9. It is so hard to buy for....my husband. He is worse than a girl. Plus if he wants something he goes and gets it.

10. My favorite Christmas tradition is... Christmas Eve night, open stockings, get Christmas jammies, make cookies, then we go look at Christmas lights as a family. We make popcorn and little Christmas treats. It’s fun and H always falls asleep

Cards for Gabbie

Every Tuesday, (my day off) I watch the Today show. I love it. I drink coffee, browse blogs while watching the Today Show. It's my little peace of heaven before the bambino wakes up.

Today, one story that caught my attention was "Cards for Gabbie"  Gabbie is a seven year old from Indiana. She suffers from a rare genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis. This unfortunate disorder causes her developmental delays that are similar to autism.  Her story goes on explaining how Gabbie was feeling left out at school. She noticed other children getting cards (which her mother explains that these cards were probably birthday party invitations) at school and Gabbie wasn't getting any from friends. She asked her mother "why no one was giving her cards" #breakmyheart.

Gabbie's mother reached out to a non profit organization called Monkey See Monkey Do for help. Read more about the awesome stuff they do HERE


She simply wanted her daughter to receive cards like the other children. She wrote:

“There are some things that money cannot buy, and that is feeling like you are loved and accepted. That is what I want for my baby girl,”

I normally read stories like this and get a warm feeling but never DO anything. This is different. I think what would I do if this was my baby girl?. So off I went to the craft box and made a little card for Ms. Gabbie. I included H. I told her we were making a card for a special little girl. She of course was right on board. Bless her 3yr, old up for anything, has no clue heart.  She loves anything that she gets to put glitter on.

I encourage you to send little Gabbie a card. It's just a few moments out of your day. I just keep thinking of her face when she get card after card. priceless.

                                                                     source

You can read more about her story HERE
More information on where to send her card HERE

Mixed Feelings @ St. Jude

Most of you know I was schedule to run my first marathon December 7th. I had mixed feelings from the moment I signed up. My sole sister and I went to sign up for the half mary but to our dismay it sold out faster than Tickle Me Elmo on black Friday.

We thought, this must be a sign. We must do the full marathon. We can totally do it. Like the eager beavers, probably already into the wine, we signed up. #mixed feelings

Jump ahead a few months and my sole sister injury's herself in a race. NO problem, she'll heal in plenty of time #mixed feelings

That just didn't happened, there was no chance in hell she could run. It just wasn't worth her risking the chance of her re injuring herself. So I TOLD myself I can do this on my own #mixed feelings

Then mother nature got herself a big ol attitude and effed everything up.

snow, sleet, ice, freezing temperatures you name it. I would watch the weather day and night. The plan was for M and I to make a weekend of it head to Memphis on Friday and stay the weekend. When the weather hit Thursday, M's job put him on "state of emergency" Which meant I could go but M had to stay. you guessed it #mixedfeelings.

My choice was to drive to Memphis Friday night (during the ice storm) bunk at a friends house and get up and race OR get up Saturday morning drive 2 hours at 4am on roads that were covered in ice.

Driving during/after an ice storm is enough to send me into a major anxiety attack. I can't do it. it makes me so nervous. Not to mention, no way to mentally prepare for a marathon.

Of course M was totally against me going. not to mention the weather but running in 32 degree weather is just not good READ: WE don't do well in cold temps.

I monitored/stalked St. Jude's website and no news, race still on. There were tons of people commenting that they wouldn't be able to make the race due to the weather conditions.

Finally this came:

Mixed feelings and a sigh of relief. CANCELED.

Then this picture was posted on their FB page. That is the finish line. Sheet of ice. #umnothanks

yes, I spent months training
yes, I spent the registration fee knowing there was no refund
yes, this sucked.

There were TONS of disappointed feedback on the website about them making the decision to cancel.I refused to acknowledge their selfish behavior. What I do want to acknowledge is the positive response to those comments: * get your tissue*

As a St. Jude parent, thank you all for your efforts to raise money for St. Jude. This is a picture of my 19 year old son who died 11 months ago after battling brain cancer for over 3 years. St. Jude doctors worked very hard to save his life. THIS IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT--We need these fundraising events to cure every child. The weather situation is unfortunate, but not being able to run a race is nothing compared to losing a child. Please continue to support St. Jude.

Speaking as a mother of a child whom has had cancer, and thank the good Lord above beat it this far, I would like to say thank you to each and everyone of you who were signed up to race. There is a wonderful group if people that were planning to run as "Team Lyla" in honor of our beautiful daughter. That being said I am very grateful to the staff of St Jude's for making this difficult decision bc I would hate for anyone of you special sweet sweet souls to be hurt while doing something so incredibly honorable! Peace and love and most of all a complete CURE to all of you!

My daughter is a St. Jude Survivor, her best friend lost a sister a few years again to cancer, Thanks to St Jude she had a few years longer than she would have had . We drove in last night so I could run my first 1/2 Marathon in honor of my daughter Ashlie and in memory of Katie. We have had a blast all day, we will be back next year, on that note, I'm gonna run tomorrow anyway,


This is what it's all about. The kids. Tons of people were asking that there metal be given to a child at St. Jude. They are the REAL hero's. St. Jude offered tons of alternatives to those who wish. You could have your registration back or use it towards an upcoming race. They also gave us the opportunity to sign up first for next years race. Discounts were offered for rooms, restaurants and local events. I feel like St. Jude went above and beyond to be accommodating to those how made the trip to Memphis.

I'm choosing for St. Jude's to keep my registration. Not because it's the right thing to do, but because the children are what's important. We should never forget the reason behind this race. It's not the T-Shirt, it's not the girls weekend, it's not the medal or getting a PR. It's to help these children see one more day.

Let's remember what's important during this holiday season. Some people are spending their holiday in the hospital watching a love one suffer. We have a lot to be thankful for. Now go tell someone you love them.

be blessed.

A

2013 Christmas Wish list

Disclaimer: I've never once written out a Christmas wish list (over the age of 10). M and I usually don't give big gifts to each other for Christmas. We really don't NEED anything. We'd rather spend the money on H or stuff for the house.

This year he asked me what I wanted for Christmas, of course I said, "Oh I don't need anything, just give me something thoughtful" he looked at me like I had four heads.

I could just hear the thoughts running through his head "Thoughtful? What does that mean? Can I order that online? Why can't you just give me a list with pictures"

So since we've been snowed in the house for three days and I've ran out of things to do, I thought I'd come up with a 2013 Christmas List.

Hold on to your britches, this post is exciting.

 

ONE: Personalized cutting board from williams Sonoma TWO: Balega running socks THREE: running water bottle belt FOUR: SPARK FIVE: I have been searching high and low for these adorable TOMS ballet flats. SIX: Steve Madden Sunglass SEVEN: Boots how cute are these EIGHT: Heavenly from Victoria Secrets because I'm so heavenly, so I mine as well smell like it. bahaa NINE: A subscription to a wine club. Right up my alley. BEST GIFT EVER TEN: This Coat from the LOFT

 

What's on your Christmas wish list?

 

 

 

FOF

My days are all mixed up. I had one of those moments of "Where am I? How did I get here? Where am I supposed to be?" when I woke up this morning. Thank goodness it's Friday.

The nasty white stuff is falling from the sky which means I'm home with Hannah and enjoying our snow day. I don't know what tomorrow brings for my marathon,  I am  worried. I know I sound like a broken record. I will be heartbroken if I can't make the trip to Memphis for St. Jude tomorrow. (queue the dramatic temper tantrum.)

Cheers to Five on Friday


ONE January first, I'm jumping on the bandwagon and doing a cleanse. I've never done one before and I just knew I would get better results if I did it with a group of friends. Doing it on my own I know I'd do it for 35 seconds, dump those shakes down the drain on my way out the door to McDonald's and ordered myself a #2. I'm doing the Advocare 24 Day Cleanse. I've heard and seen great results.


TWO I am slightly obsessed with my Yankee Candle warmer. I have Mistletoe burning and it makes the house smell wonderful. Yankee Candle is running a special until December 9. 30% off everything when you use the code PPC13. I grabbed one for H's teacher, and a extra one for me, for an "oh I didn't know we were exchanging gifts" it happens every year. This year I am prepared.

THREE Look what I found on Etsy. How adorable is this. You need to check out this shop. She has some really good holiday prints.

FOUR The month of December you can pretty much find me watching THE CHRISTMAS STORY, HOME ALONE and NATIONAL LAMPOON CHRISTMAS VACATION. I love them. I can and do watch them all day.


FIVE Last week I got an email from Desiree  her awesome MIL surprised her with an early Christmas present. Guess whose going to HH?  I am so excited to finally meet this awesome girl! 

Christmas Traditions

Today I'm linking up with Holly and Amy and chatting about Christmas traditions.


Warning this is long; I got on the memory train and couldn’t get off… chu chu

Christmas has always been deemed as an “important” holiday in our house growing up. Not because of Santa, Santa never came to our house. Not because of the presents or Tree, but because we were celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It never fails, every Christmas program at church we’d go to as a family I’d look over at my mom and she would be sobbing with thankfulness. Bless her heart. Every.Single.Time. She’d cry at the stable scene. She can be a little dramatic but we love her. One thing I truly love reflecting on Christmas is how much my parents focused on the real meaning of Christmas. I hope M and I do the same for H.

On to the traditions.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we would go to Ted Drew’s (local amazing frozen custard joint) and pick out our Christmas tree. It’s funny that we all went as a family to “pick” the tree. I remember my sister being totally over satisfied every year. She’d walk around and pretend to look at trees. When all she wanted to do is get back in the warm car. I laugh to myself thinking about it, Amber would walk up to the first tree she saw and say, “that’s perfect, let’s get this one” My sister. She’s a funny one.

We’d pick out our overpriced tree; my dad would cuss like a sailor as he’d tie it to the top of the car. My mom would remind him that it’s the holiday season blah blah blah.

We’d get home and my dad would put the tree in the stand, which was ALWAYS an ordeal. It would always lean one way and my mom would ALWAYS say “it’s not straight David”. He would not so kindly snap back “I’m not finished Michelle” We lacked that warm holiday spirit when we put the tree up.

When the tree was finally up, Dad would go smoke a cigarette and open a can of Budweiser while my mom sister and I would decorate the tree. Slowly, my sister and mom would lose interest and disappear. Not me I loved decorating the tree. I’d spend hours decorating this 7ft tree. I wouldn’t stop until it was perfect.

Christmas Eve, we never did anything. I was always jealous when I heard people talk about their Christmas Eve plans. We’d spend the day together watching movies, making cookies but never anything exciting.

Christmas morning we’d wake up bright and early run down the stairs to open presents. It’s sad to say we I remember doing this all through high school AND maybe college. There is something about Christmas morning that turned my sister and I into 3 yr olds.
We’d always have to wait for my dad to get his coffee. I would sit on one side of the tree and my sister would sit on the other side. My mom would hand us each one gift and we’d open them at the same time. It’s hilarious. My mom would wait until the last minute to wrap all of the gifts. So the first gift would always be wrapped really pretty with a bow. Then they would slowly start getting sloppy and the last present you can forget. It usually was hidden in the back with no wrapping paper, maybe a piece of tissue paper that barely covered the present. My mom was no Martha Stewart.

Later in the day, family would come over for Christmas dinner. We have a very small family but you would think the house had 80 people in it. We are so loud. The house was full of laughter and love. (ha, That needs to be on a hallmark card)

M and I are setting new traditions for Hannah. He was big on the Santa growing up. They didn’t have Elf on the Shelf, they had “Jingles the Mouse” (which is creepy to me) I however did not have Santa growing up, and was TOTALLY against H believing in Santa. Santa is slowly sneaking into our Christmas. We have the Elf on the Shelf, and H gets excited to find the elf in the morning, but we do not use it as a “You better be nice because Elfena the Elf is watching” AND Santa will not be the one filling the bottom of our tree with gifts. Sorry. He may bring one gift but that is it. I think my dad warped me as a kid. He said he worked hard for the gifts under our tree and there was no way “Santa” would get the credit for it. I get where he is coming from. So we are trying to find a happy medium with Santa and Christmas.

I threw the idea of a real tree right out the door. Fake trees are so easy.

Stocking: we NEVER had stockings as a kid. GASP I know. I will always remember my friend Jaimie talking about the cool things she got in her stocking for Christmas, I honestly felt jipped and remind my mom each year about it. When M and I got married, the first things I bought was monogramed stocking for everyone and you better believe I fill our stockings ever year.

Christmas Eve, I always make Mexican and we drink margaritas. After dinner I give everyone Christmas pj. Everyone includes me mike and H and anyone who travels to AR for the holiday. That evening, we load H in the car and go look at Christmas lights. This is probably my favorite. H gets so excited.

Christmas morning we open gifts, eat a big breakfast, watch Christmas movies and just lounge all day. I usually cook a big dinner and host Christmas for us and any other random friends that don’t have family close by. We usually spend the day drinking eggnog and playing games. It’s the best.

Oh this post gets me excited for Christmas!

What are you Christmas Traditions? Head on over HERE and link up

About this stuff

SNOW: a little hidden fact about this girl. I lived in Maine for a few years as a kid. Totally remember building snow igloos with my dad and sister. They were so big we were able to get into them. I have a lot of great memories of us playing in the snow. Then we move to STL. They get snow but nothing like Maine. When we moved to LR, it “Snowed” and literally I put my windshield wipers on and the snow was gone. No need for a scraper. One thing that is different here in the SOUTH. When people hear the word “Snow” they FREAK and run to Kroger’s and buy bread, milk and eggs (even if they have never bought milk, bread or eggs)

So as of today, everyone is in freak mode because snow is predicted for Thursday evening into Friday morning. This girl is supposed to drive 2 hours north to Memphis for her first marathon. (Alone, now because M’s job has already declared it “State of emergency” on Tuesday for snow that is supposed to be here Friday) Craziness.

On the bright side it's supposed to be 34 on Saturday in Memphis. That's perfect running weather #saidbynooneever

I’m hoping this is all just everyone freaking out and we really just get a light dusting.

HOMELAND: Do you watch it? If not you should. Things are FINALLY getting juicy. Brody is back and shit went down last episode. When are they going to address the fact that Carrie is pregnant? That’s annoying me.

Black Friday Shopping: I was one of the few crazy people that went black Friday shopping last week. I cleaned up on some deals.

Target:

I needed a new camera bad. I found this one at a great price. It's still in the box, but I'm totally in love with it.

Every girl needs a princess bike. I got the last one! I was totally prepare to beg, plead and show my ta ta's to get this bike.

I wasn't sure if I was the only cool one who puts Holiday sheets on her bed during the Holiday but I found THESE and fell in love. They are so comfy and make it so hard to get out of bed in the morning.

I found some other things that we NEEDED, like the SONICARE toothbrush, crayons, five dollar barbies etc etc.

I really think Target had the best deals. I did a little damage at Old Navy. 50% off everything. Can't beat that. I tried KOHLS, I litterally walked in and walked right out. The lines were too dang long.

What deals did you find?


Fortune Teller: Last week when I was in STL I got a text:

Marcia: “At the Fortune Teller on Cherokee Street. Come out for a drink if you’re up for it.”Of course I had to go. I’m always up for a drink.
Fortune teller, I wasn’t so sure about it. Dad always said “When in doubt don’t” I felt a little convicted like I was cheating on Jesus or something. It was all done in fun. I took everything he said with a grain of salt. Quite honestly I couldn’t concentrate on anything he said. His shirt was way too tight and he was doing a lot of mumbling and his hands look really sweaty.

He did say my “reading” was a little complicated. I laughed. To his face. I guess that was rude. Whoops. Blame on the alcohol.

Thanksgiving Hangover

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving. After changing my mind 302,423 I loaded up the escape and headed to STL for the week. I am so glad I did. We enjoyed our time with friends and family.

Since I’ve been “out of pocket” for 8 days, my desk at work looks like a construction zone so I’ll keep this post short and sweet think of it as me as a little appetizer. You know “get your pallet a little wet and wanting more” #yesineedhelp

Here’s what’s coming later:

Turkey Trot Recap

My awesome black Friday finds

Fortune Teller (never a dull moment with YEARTWENTYNINE)

The weather for this Saturday’s Marathon HINT: SNOW AND 34 DEGREE’S

Cheers to MONDAY!

I can never make up my mind

Can someone make up my mind? I have all these random thoughts going on today.

The plan: spend this week in STL with friends and family. Black Friday shop in STL, head back to LR spend the weekend putting up the Christmas tree. (which by the way, I am so excited to put the tree up, I would have put it up last week, but M has this thing about celebrating holidays one at a time and in order..blah blah blah)

What really happened: Because H is still fighting nasty cough, the nasty weather and the fact that M can't make the STL trip. I decided to spend this week at home. Possibly hosting a Friendsgiving. It's really a win win for everyone.

So that my friends is the only decision I have made so far. (After bugging the shit out of M asking "should I stay? Should I go?" I don't know why I make things so hard)

These are the other 302,342 random thoughts/decisions running through my head

Is it too early to send out Christmas cards?

Should I buy a real tree or a fake tree for H's room? Fake small tree is the way to go right? although how fun would it be to go cut a tree down?

Do I REALLY have to run 20miles on the treadmill today? ugh, I know the answer to that. It's rainy outside and this girl does not do rain.

How the hell do I cook this Tortilla soup everyone is talking about?
Note to self: look on pinterest for a recipe

I'm pretty sure I know how to work the fireplace. It's  perfect day for a fire. BUT just in case, maybe H should wait outside. And maybe I should have my phone with me just in case.. Do we have  a fire extinguisher ?

Should H's big gift be a power wheel or bike? I think bike. She's not really old enough to REALLY appreciate a power wheel.

whew, all of these random thoughts are making me exhausted. I think I'll go take a nap.

Low Key Weekend

This may come as a shocker, but we had a pretty low key weekend.

Does anyone miss your college weekends? You know what I'm talking about, the weekend that is full of casual lunches, shopping with the girls, day drinking. Then you go home power nap, get dresses up and hit the bars. Roll in around 3am, sleep in the next morning and do it all over again?

This girl does not. I'm officially in my 30's. When that rare occasion does show up and we get a night out it's all fun in games until the thought " H will be up in 6 hours, if we leave now I can get 5 hours asleep" lame I know.

I digress

Our poor little H has been sick READ: no one has gotten sleep all week. When Friday night rolled around we were exhausted. We planned on a movie night (with wine of course) We started watching "How the Grinch stole Christmas" P.S. H is scared of the Grinch. So we ended up watching Sophia the first for the 204,083 time this week. But hey I can watch anything with a glass of wine. next thing I knew we were out! all three of us. GONE. it was glorious. we all needed sleep.

Saturday, H had a birthday party to attend. It was a "Sophia the first" party.  Right up her alley. It was adorable.  The girls made princess wands and played dress up. They were all given little crowns, they were in heaven. 

We ended our night at The painted pig. I am a sucker for homemade ornaments. Perfect for Christmas gifts.

Sunday, This girl had to work. BUT totally worth it! I don't have to go back until Dec 2! winning!


What did you do this weekend?

SWW

This week I’m saying SO WHAT

• If I still have pumpkins on our front porch! Pumpkins say Thanksgiving right?

• If I took H to the post office with her PJ shirt on and her pants inside out. GIRLFRIEND was in a mood and so was I.

• I splurged and put high lights in my hair. I need to get my random spending out of my system before M and I have the “pre Christmas” budget talk

• I’m thinking about going back to school. I’m bored with these mediocre jobs. Plus my shopping addiction is suffering.

• I slept in H’s room last night. H isn’t feeling well. So I decided to lay down with her at bed time. I was out like a light. At one point it was me, H and our boxer in her twin bed. Then they slowly left me and went to sleep with M our king size bed. TRADERS.

• I bought Home Alone. That is a Christmas must see movie.

• If I’m afraid to start a fire in the fire place. M say’s it works just fine but I have a vision of it blowing our house up.

• If our family can’t make the trip to AR for Christmas. I have a “no travel rule” on Christmas day. It will be sad not to have family around but it will be nice for it to be just the three of us.

• I want to host a “FRIENDSGIVING” How fun does that sound? Too bad Thanksgiving is next week and I’ll be in STL. Maybe next year.

• My Christmas list has mostly running entry fees/ running socks and GU on it.

Cara Box Reveal

This is my second time participating in CARA box. I have to say I’m hooked. I love the idea of meeting new people and encouraging mommies/women. We need that.

This month I was paired with Ashley over at Mrs. Mama

She is incredible sweet, funny with a side of crafty. Bonus: She lives in the same state as me. I’m hoping we can meet up one of these days and become “face to face” friends.

Now for the big reveal. The theme was “fall” (my favorite season) she hit it on the head!

1.She asked about the décor of my house. I thought, hmm...Does barbies, dog toys and laundry baskets count as decor? My house is my sanctuary. It may be a small Cracker Jack box but it’s ours. I LOVE decorating for every holiday. I have so many pumpkins around my house it looks like a pumpkin patch. This little gem fit in perfectly.

2.This pillow, I love. It screams fall. It looks adorable in my living room.

3.I have been eyeing these cups at Target. It’s a soup cup with a lid. Perfect for fall soup, chili or a big ass cup of coffee. I use this every day.

4.WINE. Need I say more? Does this girl know me or what? In her sweet letter to me she wrote “ I also enjoy your love of fun, sometimes it’s family fun and sometimes it’s wine fun” #truestory

5.Who doesn’t love a fall dish towel? This goes right up there with decorating for every holiday.

6.These socks are a little piece of heaven. They are incredible soft and PINK!

I love all these things in this cara box, but most importantly Ashley wrote me the sweetest most encouraging letter. I took it to work and when I am filling like Debbie Downer I read it and it puts a smile on my face.

Thank you so much Ashley for my Fall Cara box!

Head on over to Wifessionals and check out her Cara Box Tab.

the good, the bad and ugly

The good, the bad and ugly

I stumbled across this post at this hysterical blog and thought to myself “you know that would be a good post” Cause this girl is fresh out!


The good
I am a giver. I will do anything for anyone. I love to help people. You need help moving? Call me, organizing and packing items make me excited.

My word is good. If I say I am going to do something I will do it. You don’t have to ask me twice. I treat people the way I want to be treated.


The bad
I’ve develop this crazy anxiety. Just ask M, he says I FIND things to worry about. It’s crazy; I often have to tell myself to STOP. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. EVERYTHING WILL BE OK.

Sometimes I forget to stop and smell the roses. I get too busy doing the “not so important stuff, like cleaning, cooking, organizing etc” when I should stop and just enjoy my family.




The ugly
I can’t save money to save my life. This drives M crazy. He’s all, “let’s save for a year and build up our retirement”. Me: hey I found 20bucks lets go spend it! I mentally spend money before I get it. Don’t get me wrong. I make sure bills are paid and we have food on the table, but what’s left you better believe I’m buying something. Thank GOD I have savings come out of my check and I never see/touch that money.

I can be a little mouthy. If someone cuts in line, you better believe I’m saying something. Of course I say it politely with just a touch of sassiness, but I’m saying something.

Small story: On a girl’s weekend trip to FL. We had to take a cab home after a long night of bootie shaking and maybe one too many red bull vodka’s, My really intoxicated friend happened to get a little “sick” in the car. When we arrived home the cab driver tried to charge us an insane amount of money because of a little barf on the door.
Drunk or not, my mouth piped up and I think the words that FLEW out of my mouth were “ THE HELL YOU ARE?” as I grabbed a napkin and begin cleaning it up. I’m pretty sure the cab driver was still talking to me when I escorted everyone out of the car and sent the driver on his merry way.

Christmas Card Dilema

Am I the only one who feels they are late ordering the Christmas cards?  There are so many great coupon codes out there right now. Offering free shipping or 50% off.  Which sounds wonderful IF I had a family photo to use. Every year I stress about what picture we are going to use. I usually have a picture at this point but this year I am drawling a blank. We have a busy schedule coming up which means no time for family pictures. Did I mention M HATES getting his picture taken?

 

I had planned on taking outside pictures this weekend, but the rain put a stop to that.  Then I thought, maybe I can just put H in the picture.

 

Is that weird? Sending a Christmas card with just your child on it? I guess people do it all the time.

 

I found these ideas on pinterest and minted.com

 

 

 

This is adorable, but I wonder how it will turn out with H's curls.

 

 

How sweet is this! It's going to take  A LOT of hot dogs to keep my dog still for this picture.

 

 

This maybe the only family picture I can get M to agree on.

 

Have you ordered your Christmas card? Do you go picture or no picture?

Weekend Wrap Up

This past weekend was our last "we have no plans weekend". What is it about the holiday season that brings on craziness. Seriously we have something EVERY weekend until Christmas. #shootmenow

I was determine to do nothing this weekend. Friday,  after work my mom wanted to go to Michaels to use a coupon that didn't start until Monday. Bless her, girlfriend needs to read the fine print. So we went to Hobby Lobby instead. After a little light shopping we went home and M and I hung out and watched a movie for the rest of the evening. I know this probably seems boring to most people, but I love it. I love being home. My home is my sanctuary.

I got up bright and early for my group run, only to find out it was raining. I don't run in the rain. sorry, can't do it. So I took my happy butt back to bed. I did manage to get my long run in. However I stopped at 12miles because of rain. I'm in trouble if it starts raining during the marathon. You will find me on the side of the road trying to hitch a ride to the finish line...with a grocery sack on my head.

Sunday, we went to church, then attended the 2nd service (READ: Went to a Mexican restaurant and had lunch/margaritas)

Then M and I went and got pedicures.

All in all it was a great/slow/boring weekend. Just in time for the madness to start next weekend. #holdme

FIVE ON FRIDAY

It’s finally Friday!

Let me just share a few things with ya today

{ONE}I think it’s time to invest in running safety light. Last Saturday, when I ran with my running group, I got lost (shocker) and it was dark. I think it’s also time that I start getting the map and taking it with me (details). Do you know how dark it is at 6am these days? It’s real dark. I always thought running flashers were for 85 year olds, I was wrong. I sure wish I had a flasher when I was lost and running for my life. Thankfully it wasn’t Freddy Krueger it was just my shadow.

{TWO}I’m headed to STL next weekend for a baby shower for my college roommate. I want to put together a “Hospital Survival kit” It’s been a few years since I’ve given birth. (Plus, I’d like to block out those twelve hours of labor) I can’t seem to remember the things I wish I had at the hospital during delivery. I need ideas. What are some of your must have items?

{THREE}I’m in love with this new shirt that I got from In Bloom Boutique. This weekend I’m off to purchase some yellow skinnies, so I can make this outfit happen.

{FOUR}

Is it crazy that I and considering putting my Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving? I’m so ready for Christmas. I love having the tree in the house, the pine smell, the lights, the baking…agh… It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Sing it with me now!

{FIVE} I have a huge window in my office. I’ve spent most of my morning looking out the window. I was slightly embarrassed and shocked when a guy appeared outside the window for cleaning purposes. You’d think I’d stop starring, NOPE. I’m pretty sure I looked like this. “Hi, my name is Amie and I’m the nosiest person in America”