Procrastination

Procrastinate: to be slow or late about doing something that should be done : to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy.

Yep, I just unpacked the final box. It contained some beautiful glass pieces and I didn't have the hardware to display like I wanted. That final box from when we moved into the house. Four and a half years ago!

Together

Together....
After 16 years of marriage and about 1 1/2 years dating, my husband and I are still together.
In the beginning, it was all lovey-dovey, and kisses and obsessive time spent together even if he was just sleeping off his working third shift. Nothing matters in the beginning except that the two of us were together.
Add in cross-country moves, college, another move, grad school, kids, doctorate, building a house and we are still together. It hasn't been easy. Once the lovey-dovey is gone, sometimes apathy, regret and lack of communication set in. You have to try harder. Make a point to do things together. Without the kids. Actually enjoy each other's time, talents and interests. Because once everything else is over and gone, it will be just the two of us, together.

This has been part of Five-Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker

Pinterest killed the moderately creative house-wife

Remember the 80's song, "Video Killed the Radio Star"? Well, Pinterest killed the moderately creative house-wife, if you ask me.
I have not signed up for Pinterest, but from what I understand it's a completely wonderful place, albeit addictive, to share and amass ideas on everything like birthday cakes, home-made play doh, crock pot recipes, and so much more. I'm sure I would love the heck out of some Pinterest. But I'd rather not "drink the Kool-Aid" that is Pinterest because if I did, I would probably just feel pitiful that A. I had not come up with something that good B. what I made was not nearly as good or C. I won't even bother when there is so much amazing stuff I won't even get around to it.
I consider myself to be a pretty crafty/creative/ and semi-talented person. I have some scrapbooks that are pretty amazing. Rubber stamps, embossed papers, hand- coloring, double mats, and stickers galore. I spent hours on them and this was even before I had kids, which is sort of a funny statement because most people want to scrap ABOUT their kids, but once you have them, who has the time?!
I've made cupcakes that were really cute AND tasted good. Strawberry cupcakes with strawberry creme icing, peach cupcakes decorated to look like peaches, Dora cupcakes, Lemon curd cupcakes, and cupcakes that look like little turkeys. I've been crafting since I was a kid, and I mean something more than just a calendar I colored at VBS. I've made paper mache fruit, my own bed canopy, plastic canvas ornaments, multiple Halloween costumes, and all forms of Christmas decorations.
But compared to the things I see people "pin" via Pinterest, I don't even hold a hand-made, rose-scented candle. "You made a wreath for your door? You should see the life-size reindeer one on Pinterest!" "You cooked chicken last night? I made this awesome chicken verde with quinoa off of Pinterest." "You repainted your coffee table? I saw on Pinterest where a lady made a coffee table out of antique milk pails." "You made your daughter's hair bow? There are hair bows on Pinterest that look just like Cinderella sitting in her coach!"
And all this fabulousness just leaves me felling inadequate. Love From the Oven put it well in her blog post here.
So why bother? Somebody has already made a bigger, better, more stylish, cheaper and fat-free one on Pinterest. Kinda takes the fun out of it. I say we take a stand and say "No" to Pinterest and "No" to the unrealistic expectations! What's that? You're making me home-made s'mores cake pops for Valentine's Day that you saw on Pinterest? Oh. Nevermind then.

Joy Christmas project

Just in case you have started to think about decorating for Christmas (and the only reason I have is because I'm wondering how the heck I'm going to have a Christmas tree up for 30+ days and not let Sawyer destroy it) here is a cute little decor project I finished last year. Yes, I said finished last year and started the year before. Oh well, I finished it at least. How many of you Pinterest peeps can say that? I saw the tutorial here and thought I would put my own little spin on it. Part of the reason it took me so long to complete is that I could not find finals. Our Lowes does not carry them. I finally found some in my mom's stash of junk that were old curtain rod finals. And while the burlap was lovely, it just isn't very Christmasey to me. I used some scrapbook paper instead and had my aunt cut out the letters on her Cricut machine. Overall, pretty easy and pretty cute, no?

Letter to my teenage self

So I read a post by Andrea at My Chihuahua Bites, and I as I was reading I kept thinking , "Yep, sounds familiar." I bet so many of us could identify with the wisdom she wished she could have shared with her teenage self. It's such an emotional time, trying to figure out who and what you are. If only we could have listened to the advice of an experienced 30-something year-old....but then, I'm sure I would have been, "whatever...she doesn't understand!"

Letter to my teenage self:

I know it's been a tough few years dealing with the separation of your parents, your best friend moving away, boys and an asshole of a little brother, but I promise you, it will all get better!
I'm sorry to tell you that your parents will continue to have a tough time for the next several years. I know it feels like you're the only one whose parents are having issues, but you're not. Find it in yourself to talk to someone about it.  That Michelle girl is pretty nice. All the fighting, crying and back and forth takes it toll, but, in the end, they make it. They stick it out.
Cher moving away was devastating. I understand that when you're 10, your best friend is your world. But trying to be one of the "popular" girls is not going to work out. Most of them are nasty and you don't really want to be friends with them. But they will teach you to be true to yourself and one of the most loyal friends anyone could ask for. Amazing friends are just around the corner, some of whom you are still friends with today.
Don't get too worried about having a boyfriend. There are some good guys you will kick yourself for passing on, but you're not ready so it's just as well. Although Chris will be a very special friend so don't feel too bad about letting him slip by. A good guy will come along, maybe not as soon as you would like, but hang in there.
Little brothers are a pain in the ass. Yours will continue to be a pain in the ass (and jaw) for a few more years. I'm not going to lie, you don't become best buds, but your relationship is much improved. You might even enjoy hanging out with him some. Remember this, because you will need to tell it to our daughter one day.
You are beautiful and smart and funny and such a gift to this world! Enjoy your time, it really will go by so fast.
P.S. Don't pull away when Grandaddy hugs you for a long time
P.P.S. Pluck your eyebrows.

Pass the chicken nuggets, please!

Unless you've been living under a Big Mac, you've heard about the hub-bub regarding Chic-fil-A and its owner Truett Cathy. I'm not fully on top of the details, but basically Cathy is a conservative and his personal views are that his businesses should be closed on Sundays for his employee to be able to attend worship services and he does not support gay marriage. Through the power of the media and social networking, many are calling for boycotts of Chic-fil-A and have started rumors,etc. about the restaurant.
My opinion.....I LOOOOVE some Chic-fil-A and will continue to eat there. And this blog post puts it more eloquently than I could ever even try. What do you think?

Happy Birthday Lil' Man!

Perhaps you noticed, I went from the birth of my son to his 1 year birthday! What can I say, it happens...For Sawyer's birthday I chose a fish theme. I googled my way through Nemo cakes, shark invites, Ariel cake toppers and octopus decorations and found inspiration for what I wanted: Just plain ole' fish in shades of orange, aqua and green. Not "under the sea" fish and not "going fishing" fish....just a cute, little fish!
It was a great party (albeit hot as hell!) for my sweet 1-year old and went well. The two things I was really pleased with were the cupcakes and the sercys.
I decided I would do the cupcakes myself. My aunt is a fabulous cake maker, but with the soon-to-be-birth of her second grandchild, I figured I'd let her slide this time. I found a picture online and pretty much copied it. Very easy and super cute! Yes, those are actual Goldfish crackers on top!

I hate goody bags. As parents, do we really need another bag of useless crap and/or candy laying around? No. But as a Southern girl, who doesn't love a sercy (n. a treat, a surprise, a small token)!? I found this tutorial and decided I'd give the goldfish soap a try. Now, I'm a crafty girl, but this was very easy! I got almost all my supplies at Michaels and it took me about 2 hours to make 20. Again, super cute!
Whew! All I gotta say is I think the 6-year old is getting a Build-A-Bear party this year.

Not to mention the boots!

When I was little I wanted to be Wonder Woman, like most little girls my age. I had the Wonder Woman Underoos and wore them regularly. She was beautiful, smart, independent and had that kick-ass invisible jet. That thing could come in handy, for sure. No more security lines and stolen luggage.
And the ability to change with a whirl of your arms would also come in very handy when I normally don't even have time to dry my hair.
Until the position of Amazon goddess becomes available I'll settle for my duties as a wife and mom. A little less exciting, but still very important to this household. In between my domestic drama, I'll try this blog thing again.

It's a boy!

Just in case you maybe missed me and wondered what I've been up to.... I had a baby boy earlier this month! We're doing good - just consumed by life with a newborn!

Happy Halloween!

Oh, the Horror!

While a Brittish man wearing fishnets, a corset and heavy make-up may be scary to some, Dr. Frank N. Furter is not usually considered a frightening character.
This week on Glee, they were featuring songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 cult classic starring Tim Curry as the transvestite Frank. I hate I missed it, but I'm sure the kids did Tim Curry proud. Coincidentally, I was flipping channels around 9:15 and the original RHPS was on TV.
It's cheesy, silly, and in no way scary. Musicals usually don't make for good horror movies. Frank prances around in his outfit and Rocky, his creation, wears little more than a gold speedo. Heck, Janet and Brad spend most of the movie in their underwear. Sure, there are dead bodies and a little gore, but not enough to keep you up at night. It's really a mock-horror/sci-fi flick.
But when I was about 12, it scared the crap out of me. And I never laid eyes on the film.
RHPS become a popular midnight movie shown at one of the theatres in my area. How do I know? My favorite radio station would play the advertisement for it all the time when I was in my room, late at night, listening to music. I'd hear the creepy voice of Rif Raff or Magenta and tidbits of a few of the songs. I was sure RHPS was a super-scary movie. "Horror" was in the title for crying out loud! Just hearing the ad freaked me out enough to change the station. and it was an old school radio, so I had to scroll the dial to one station, and then scoll it back to try and find my station again.
Years later, when my friend's older sister told us about it and how fun it was to sit in the theatre and sing along and throw toast, I couldn't believe it. Props and singing and dancing? That is what I changed the station for? That is what gave me the creeps?
Now that "Paranormal Activity 2"? That would keep meup at night.
This post has been brought to you by Mama Kat's Writers Workshop.

About Me

It's funny. Sometimes exploring bloggie land feels a little like dating. Now, it's been more than 13 years since I've been single so I may not have a clue as to what I'm talking about but stick with me a minute... Sure, you have your favorites that you visit regularly, but sometimes you go venturing out to see who else is out there.
If you're anything like me, you read a post or two and check out their "About Me" page or profile. I might learn that we are both Southern girls and enjoy Yaz so I immediately feel a connection. Based on that, I decide want to check them out again. I may, indeed, visit again only to decide later that I'm really not enjoying them anymore. On the otherhand, I may really like this gal and add her to my favorites list.
There's a little bit of a pressure to have not just a good post but also a good profile. My problem is how do you stuff a lifetime into two paragraphs?
I have a husband and a daughter, but my blog does not revolve around either of those. They are certainly contributing factors, but not the main source of my writing. There's only so many ADORABLE pictures of your child we are interesting in seeing.
I want to come off as witty, but not snarky. Let's face it, who needs another self-righteous bitch in their lives? And then, I want to keep it clean, but I do curse occasionally so I don't want to completely edit myself.
I'm also fairly crafty and enjoy decorating, but I'm not nearly as good as some of the ladies out there so I don't want to mislead people to think I am a go-to girl for tye-dying Tshirts and Halloween decorations (although my fall decorations are pretty cute this year...).
Drinking, going out, dancing and having a good time are not things I gave up when I got married. It doesn't make me a bad person or a bad mom and I certainly don't do it all the time. I enjoy spending time with my friends and if it involves a round of shots, so be it.
I'm Southern and proud of it, but I'm also a bit redneck. We enjoy playing in the mud, college football and bar-b-que (that's a noun and not a verb). I don't want you to think I am some back-woods moron because of it. I have a four-year degree and know the difference between "affect" and "effect".
I enjoy music, movies, TV and reading but don't feel strongly enough about any of them to feel that my preference for them defines me. If you loooove Twilight, that's great. Good for you. I don't care about it, Taylor Swift, The Jersey Shore or James Patterson.
So while I'd love to have a profile that really let's you know who I am, I just don't know how the hell to put 35 years of me onto a single page. What about you?
This post was brought to you by Mama Kat's Writers Workshop.

The day I stuck it to my boss

Back when Steve and I were newlyweds, I used to work in a commercial real estate office in Virginia Beach. Back then, I got paid like $8/hour as a receptionist. It was a family owned company so there were some nice perks, like occasionally being treated to lunch, getting to leave early sometimes and nice Christmas bonuses (what's that?! a Christmas bonus! Who gets those anymore?).
On the down side, some of my bosses were real jerks. This one guy, I'll call him Bill, thought he was hot shit. He'd walk around with his Bible and his day-planner complaining how BUSY he was. At least that's what he'd say when he finally wandered into the office at 11:00 and wouldn't return any calls. Bill was so snobby. He only used GOLD paperclips because he thought they looked classier. One time I had to give him a ride to his house. His car was being detailed or something. I had the windows down and he looked at me like I was insane. "Can we get get some air on in here, " he whined.
I'm telling you all this so you can have a picture of the kind of guy Bill was when I tell you the prank I pulled on him.
I shared the front office with Samantha, the office manager. She and Bill had a love/hate relationship. She loved to pretend she hated him when truth be told, I think she loved all the attention from their nagging/kidding/complaining.
One day, Bill was in the supply closet which was just off our front office. He started singing and Samantha and I decided to show our displeasure by shutting him in there. No big deal. He kept singing and ended up being in there quite a while.
Somewhere I get the bright idea to put strips of clear packing tape across the door frame (I am giggling as I type...). Several strips of clear packing tape all across the door. I'm back at my desk when he finally emerges and SMACK! Bill walks right into the tape! It was like seeing someone walk into a giant spider web. I was laughing so hard I fell off my chair! Samantha stiffled a few giggles then followed Bill into his office as he stammered off.
Afterwards, I had to apologize to Bill. I guess I should be glad nothing worse came of it. But I gotta tell you... it was soooo worth it!
This post has been brought to you by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

wall art ...finally!

We've been in the house over a year now and there is still one box to be unpacked and some pictures to be hung. I'm just not a very motivated person. So I was in no hurry to put something up on the living room wall. I knew I'd find something I liked and was cheap not too expensive.

Back in January, on the way home from visiting a friend, I stopped at an outlet mall. In Carolina Pottery I saw the coolest wall "tiles." I use quotes because they looked kinda like ceramic tiles but were really light-weight metal. Anyhoo...They were big (check!), blue and brown (check!) and $17 a piece (check!). However, when I got them home, I decided it was too much blue on blue. I thought some sort of backing would look good. Long story short and 9 months later... I finally have them hanging on my wall!

Tada!!!

I cut an old political sign (corrugated plastic) to size and then spray painted it brown because the white showed through the burlap. Then I sprayed adhesive onto it and placed my burlap over it. I folded the corners giftwrap-style and used duct tape to hold them down. I nailed straight through sign to hold it and each of the tiles in place.

Ok, so it's not Goodwill cheap, but not bad for less than $75!

I'm participating in:

R.I.P Kermit

These are part of the latest style in home decor from a "professional" decorator, as featured in a name-brand catalog. You can have a set of 5 for $250. Really? REALLY?
Cuz I think they look like somebody decided to hunt down Kermit the Frog and his friends, chop off their legs, mount them upside down and spray paint them white.

Save big for kids!

I had a great response from my last post, so I thought I would take it a step further and show you the huge deal I got on kids items this week.
Some of you know I work with a local children's consignment sale that happens twice a year. I shopped this week for my daughter and man, did I rack up!
I got 12 tops, 9 pants, 5 dresses, 3 pairs of PJs, 4 hairbows, 1 pair of shoes, a big wagon, a DVD and a small toy castle. The last 3 items will be put away for Christmas. Many of the items were name brand like Gymboree or Children's Place and one of the dresses was a smocked dress (translation: for Southern girls, these are must have for church and special occasions and can be very pricey!)
How much do you think I paid for all that????
$250?
$200?
$180?
$150?
Nope, nope and nope! I Paid $140 for all 37 items!!!

Outfits for less than $20

If you've visited here before, you probably know I like to save a few bucks. This is a particularly helpful habit since I am now unemployed and living off an allowance from the hubby, but that's a whole 'nother post.
It kills me everytime I see on the Today show or in a magazine, "Get the Look for Less!" and the outfit still cost $250!
"Wow, Brandi, you got that dress for $150?," asks goofy Ann Curry. "My goodness! And those shoes are an absolute steal at $160!"
I don't think so... I realize that is a markdown from the original price tag of $9999, but come one peeps! Who really shops like that? (don't answer that if your answer is "me")
I thought I would show you a few deals from some of my past shopping trips. They may not be the height of fashion or the latest trend, but who wants to look like the Kardashian sisters, anyway?
Necklace- $6 - from Cato's (cheaper women's store, usually next to a Wal-Mart)
Polo shirt- $1 - from a thrift store
New York & Co. capris - $3 from Goodwill
Shoes - $8 - clearance from Belk (Southern department store)
Total- $18

Top - $9 - from Cato's
Old Navy linen skirt - $1 - from thrift store
wooden bangle - $1 - from thrift store
shoes - free- I helped with a yard sale and got to keep these
Total - $11

dress- $7 - clearance at Kmart
Gap monogrammed bag - $1.50 from thrift store
shoes (made in Italy) - $1.50 from thrift store
total - $10

Gap top- $2.25 - from Goodwill
Talbot shorts- $2.25 - from Goodwill
beaded necklace - $1 - from yard sale
Born shoes - $3 - from thrift store
total - $8.50

And the best for last...
top - $2 - clearance from Belk
tank - free - promotional giveaway
Ann Taylor Loft capris - $3 - from Goodwill
shoes - $1 - from Goodwill
purse - $.25 - clearance from Shoe Carnival
total - $6. 25

And these are just complete outfits. I have lots of other tops, bags, shoes, etc. Now, who wants to go shopping?!

This post was brought to you by Writer's Workshop.

Ode to a Cupcake

Ode to a Cupcake

by Shannon

How do I love thee, cupcake? Let me count the ways
You are sweet and delicious, I could eat you everyday

Not too little, not too much, a single-serving size

helps prevent the little dears from collecting on my thighs

I love the sugary goodness, it's taste is like a dream

pile them high with sprinkles, non perils or butter cream

Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet or peanut butter

lemon, white chocolate raspberry and many, many others

375 degrees, they bake up in a snap

just don't think of icing them with that fluffy, whipped topping crap

Mamas like to boogie, too

OK, that was fun so here I am again playing along with Mama Kat's writers workshop. The prompts I chose are "make a list of things you no longer have in common with your single/childless friends" AND "make a list of things you no longer have in common with your married/child bearing friends" and why you love them all anyway.
These both appeal to me because I fit in both categories at times. I was never one of those people whose life revolved around having children, although I have been married since I was fairly young (22) so I can't really identify with the single life.


things I no longer have in common with my single/childless friends...
1. I can't run off to the beach this weekend to see the Cowboy Mouth show because I gotta take care of the kid. I can't do anything spur of the moment or without pre-arranged childcare.
2. Staying home on a Friday and Saturday night is perfectly acceptable.

3. Sure I like to have stylish, attractive clothes, but if I can't find it on sale at Kohl's or in a thrift store, I probably ain't buying it.
So when we DO get a chance together, we always have fun and I enjoy the lack of diaper/nap time/pre-school talk.


things I no longer have in common with my married/child bearing friends...
1. I still enjoy busting a move at the bars/dance clubs. Have you ever seen the movie "The Sweetest Thing" with Cameron Diaz? Those bars scenes are the stuff of my dreams (and a teensy bit my life 15 years ago).
2. Your kid is cute, but once he/she starts to wail and/or has a category 5 in their diaper, I'm out. You can have them back. Right now.
3. Seeing little newborns does not turn me into mush and automatically make me want 3 more.
But I know that you understand where I'm coming from when I say motherhood is hard and you don't judge me (right?).

Happy birthday!

My blue-eyed blonde turns 5 today! Happy Birthday, Savannah!
P.S. While exhausting, the party was a success!