Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thanks!
Thank you to my husband who got me my own computer stuff for when we move (he'll take the laptop to class). Who knew I'd ever want my own computer?
Thanks, Ma, for a gift certificate to LandsEnd. Woo hoo! I'll be heading over to the Overstocks in just a sec.
Thank you to all my wonderful, lovely, generous friends who helped make my birthday such a lovely day. Right now I feel like a child at the end of her birthday who is sad that it is over.
Thank you Missy for surprising me today with your super-sweet, awesome, homemade ice cream cake. And casseroles! You are my Petunia and you are the best.
Thank you Paige, Heather, and Missy for helping me pack today. And for my sweet gifts. We got a lot done. I'm proud and relieved to see all the stuff that was packed away today.
"Dan in Real Life" is an awesome movie. I want to get the sound track. Thank you, Laura Morgan, for not allowing me to be alone on my birthday evening. I would've been miserable. And she knew it. Thanks to Boo, Kim P, Ginger, Laura, Jenny, Whitney, Heather, Maja, and Katrina for coming to watch it with me. And bringing yummilicious snacks. It was a blast!
Thank you to Maja for hand embroidering me a gorgeous jewelry bag with a drawstring pouch. Um, wow. Thanks Heather and Boo (and Lana) for giving me jewelry to go in my new, hand embroidered jewelry pouch that Maja made for me. Today. No, really. She started it this morning. Amazing woman.
I'm anxious to hear about my hubby's trip to Mississippi to see how everything went. His job interview was with UPS, which would be a great parttime thing for him to do while we're at seminary.
Oh, I'm so full of food! Tomorrow I'll be running a wee bit faster. Sleepy girl needs sleepy. Oh, after I go to LandsEnd Overstocks, Ma!
What a lovely day!
The Birthday Invite
There may be some chocolate involved. And laughter. And general good times. Just saying...
Happy Birthday to Me!
Quinn: "So, what are those naked shoes you were talking about?"
me: "huh?"
Quinn: "You know, those naked shoes you were talking about in your blog."
me: "Do you mean 'nude'?"
Quinn: "Yeah, same thing. Well, it means the same thing."
me: Nope. "It's a color, not a state of being."
Quinn: "Oh. What are they?"
So I show him. It was very sweet of him to offer the gesture of shopping for shoes. He hates shopping. HATES IT. He's fond of the term "I'd rather be drug out to the street and shot" when he thinks of shopping. After a while, we walked into the Gap and I found a cute pair of nude flats for $12 and he told me I should get them. It was very unlike Quinn, who would usually say something like, "Do you really need ANOTHER pair of shoes?" That answer, of course, is YES. It's okay if he doesn't get it. And, of course, I can't ask "Do you really NEED another Theology book?", because his answer is also YES. So, we're even, kind of. I have a slightly uncomfortable feeling that his obsession is better than mine.
Today will be a day of getting stuff done. Heather and Paige are both coming over to help me pack (thanks, ladies) and Corin has SAT testing at Crossroads. Even though we'll be busy, it will still be fun and I'm looking forward to it. Paige and Heather are both CRAZY cleaners, so I'm sure we'll have a lot done by this afternoon. Woo hoo! I told Quinn what we were doing today, to which he responded "you better go to the liquor store this morning". I looked at him with confusion. "What? Why?". I'm thinking this would not help me at all. He looked at me. "You can always get good boxes at the liquor store." Ah. I looked at some of the boxes we've already packed and most of them are whiskey boxes and Crown Royal boxes. So, I'm going to trek over to the liquor store this morning, with my three children, and get some boxes. Is ABC Liquor even open in the morning?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Changed it Again...
My hubby is taking me out for my birthday tonight. Woo hoo! I'm guessing Macaroni Grill (we have a gift certificate) and maybe he'll want to shop for some nude stilletos with me (oh, yeah, that's gonna happen).
I guess I need to get moving. Oooh, I just wanted to share this pic.... It's Missy and me from at least 12 years ago in college riding in her Connie Cellica (that's the car- my car was Dottie Datson). A friend of mine from Facebook sent it to me. Crazy times. Can you believe she and I were never allowed to room together at our small, private college because we were a "bad influence on each other"? Me???? Innocent until proven guilty is what I say!
Of a Book and Tears
I've been weepy for three days. Maybe longer than that. Just at the drop of a hat, I start the waterworks. Maybe it's the move and the strangeness of it all (Jessica, we're moving to Jackson, MS so that Quinn can finish seminary). I feel very selfish about the whole thing and have been feeling the urge to detach myself from anything concerning it. Except that now the move date is so close that I feel the pressure to actually make sure I get things done. I feel like I am being unsupportive and cruel to my husband, who is pursuing a call to ministry. I love him and want to stop being an emotional wreck.
Pooh.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Roaming Thoughts
The house is very quiet. Quinn took the boys camping. Except for Beex who wanted to sleep with me. I consented and slept with feet in my face all night.
I can make a really good S'mores. Toasting the sandwich over the fire on fork tongs to melt the chocolate is essential.
Again, wanting a haircut. Short and choppy.
I would love to find a pair of nude stilleto heels. I've been looking for them everywhere. Tried to look for them online but got discouraged. Do not Google Nude/Camel Stilletos. I think I screamed out loud. Quinn said, "Type Shoes! Just type shoes!".
I haven't been to the thrift store since Tuesday. I think I'm having withdrawals.
Birmingham was named as the most indulgent city this week on the Today Show. Really? I'd like to know how they did their research. Just not seeing it.
My birthday is this week and I will turn 33. I'm getting crow's feet and I have a dimple on my face that used to not be there. Oh, and more weird facial hair. Fabulous.
Three weeks and two days until we move.
Gotta get "bekfast" for the sweet cheeks Beex.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Si-Guy's Birthday Party
Insane
Man, my house is a mess. Again. Maybe it's just the boxes. I'm going to defer to the boxes. Pretty much until we move.
I'm having some trouble with making links. And with pictures. It shows all the script instead of just underlining the link or showing the pictures on my draft page. Can anyone help me out?
Must go bake.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
OOOOOH-BEEEE
I'm going to my doctor this morning. Yuck. I do love my doctor (he has delivered all three of my children), but I DETEST going for a check-up. It has been almost three years since my last check-up and I have kept putting it off. Honestly, I'm going now because we're about to move to another state where said doctor does not practice. And I have questions about stuff. Yes, yes I see your wide-eyed looks of horror, gentlemen, and I'll refrain from discussing it. And I really don't hate it because of what they do (thought that IS a bit uncomfortable); what I hate is... being weighed. For two weeks, I have waited in quiet dread about getting weighed at the doctor's office. I skipped dinner last night and I have already started drinking water this morning (I will stop promptly at 7:30 to give my body a chance to rid itself of it). I cannot skip breakfast (ever) because I'm STARVING. I hate stepping on the box (with clothes on and everything) and having the nurse write down what she sees. Don't they know that clothes weigh ten pounds? I think everytime I go to the doctor, I request that the scales be put in a room where I can put on one of those lovely patient gowns to get weighed in. The nurse usually just smiles. I did have one fellow blogger suggest that I turn around on the scale to not see what I weigh. Yeah, can't do that. MUST KNOW. I know that I'm not overweight. It's the numbers that bother me. Why can't they be less? Why must I weigh that particular number? I don't like it. I will be relieved when it's over.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Super, Amazing, Spectacular
Fried Macaroni and Cheese!
Can I get an Amen? I say-a A-ya men-a. I do not know why it is so good. But it is SO good. It actually came with four, but they looked exactly like that. Delectable. Sounds weird. Sounds gross. Sounds like something a kid would make up. My assumptions came crashing to the ground. It is super crunchy on the outside with creamy macaroni and cheese on the inside. It is swimming in a sea of creamy marinara. Can you use the word delectable two times in one paragraph? Probably not. Thank you, Mona! After dinner last night, I need a couple of extra laps around the gym this morning. I'll see you there!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Friends
Anyhoo...
Do you love becoming friends with somebody through their blog? I have become friends with Jawan through reading her blog and her random visits to our church. Her husband pastors a church in Columbus, GA, but he used to be the used the youth pastor at our church moons ago. Jawan is crazy with an acute case of verbal diarrhea. I love her.
This is Felix with Maggie, Sarah, and Gracie. He's George Washington. Duh.
Thanks Jawan.
Reality
I am excited about Quinn finishing seminary. I am excited that I am his wife and we are venturing on this dealio together. I know that the Lord has called my husband (and me) to do this and I am excited what will happen next. I am not excited about leaving my church and the place (B'ham) I've called home for eleven years. It's hard to imagine what my life will be like without Community Presbyterian Church.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Preach it!
My hubby preached his very first sermon today. You know I was proud. I cannot wait to see what He will learn in seminary and see how the Lord will use him after. Quinn has the ability to speak clearly, without being condescending. He is wise and he loves the Lord. He is humble, kind, loving, and speaks with grace. I admire him greatly. You're my hero, babe!
The Seminar
My fashion seminar went very well. I was terrified to speak in front of adults (I teach four and five year olds), but I was thinking that there would be less than ten ladies in my class. There were twenty-five. I had to hurry and make more copies of my handouts before class to make sure there would be enough to go around. I was very nervous at first, but eased into it and have been cringing over my verbal diarrhea ever since (it's an illness). Anyway, I talked about knowing what your shape is (which helps shopping go soooo much easier), color combinations, accessories, and great ways to find bargains. It was fun and people who didn't come to my class asked to get a handout for it! Thanks to Anne Marie, Mrs. Morgan, Jan Witt, and Maja Clayton for letting me use their dressforms. Thanks also to Virginia for helping me gather my thoughts and loaning me a ton of stuff, Leigh McKibben for lending me (and causing me to covet) her jersey dress, Crissy for lending me her lbd, and Laura Morgan saving my booty by lending me her cool fashion books. It helped so much!
Just let me know when you're ready to shop!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A Break from the Madness
Are you telling me that I have NO children this morning? Felix is going to Mother's Day Out and Daddy is taking Corin and Silas fishing.
Oh yeah, baby.
Social Security Office, here I come. That sounds dreadful. Maybe I'll get a gyro.
I have to at least top that off with a gander around a shoe store or something.
Ooooo, maybe I'll take a book to the SS office so that I can endure my wait that way. How exciting!
Going to make coffee now!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Hodge Podge
Corin had a soccer game last night and his team won! AND he scored a goal! AND I missed it! Yep, I missed the whole game. Why? Well, because I didn't find out about the game until 6:30 and both the other children were still taking baths and Quinn called me from practice telling me that Corin had a game in 30 minutes and he needed his uniform pronto! Oh, pooh! So I put the other (wet) ones in their jammies and tore through MT. TOO MUCH LAUNDRY to find Corin's uniform and then tore over to the field to get Corin his uniform JUST in time for the game. The other two were still wetheaded from their baths (and clean, btw), so we went home. I hate that I missed him score. He has been skittish on the field; not wanting to be aggressive about the ball, so this is a big deal!
Yesterday, I went to Accessory City, at Patton Creek to get some prizes for my class on Saturday. This is a great store! Super cute jewelry for cheap, CHEAP! They have a 3 for $5 jewelry wall, a 2 for $10 jewelry wall, scarves 3 for $10, sunglasses 2 for $10, lots and lots of bags, shoes, hairclips, kidstuff, WOW! I recommend it. I think you can shop online, too. On that same line, I added a new link yesterday. Fab Finds for under $50 has a lot of great finds online. I also like how she (Kimberly) puts things together.
Today is Wednesday, which means day of insanity. Must get started right away. Maybe I'll have a chance to ignore my laundry for a little longer. Yeah, probably so.
Monday, April 14, 2008
An Event to Look Forward to
I've been preparing for my "fashion class" today. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then PLEASE, let me explain... Every year our church does a seminar/ luncheon thing that is so FABulous. Good seminars, good speaker, and EXCELLENT food. I am doing one of the seminars this year. I've been a tad bit nervous about it, but today I've put in some brain time (with Virginia's help) and am excited about my class. If you're looking for some tips on how to look longer, leaner, and more fashionable, then this is the class for you! Of course, with this "research" comes a tad bit of shopping; which is just SUCH a labor of love for me (oh, you know I have just collapsed on the couch from sheer exhaustion). Somebody bring me a pretty drink. Anyway, I have looked far and wide for fun things and have got some tricks up my sleeve... Well, not rabbit tricks (I certainly did NOT run over a rabbit the night before Easter last year- I resent that you brought that up), but you know what I mean.
Here's just a sample of some of the stuff we'll be talking about...
Pants that make you look thinner (oh yeah, they exist)
belts and scarves
Stilletos (not as uncomfortable as you think- no really!)
dresses like this... (which I REALLY want to buy that one particularly- excellent price!)
color mixing (deliberately NOT matchy-matchy)
Rouching a belly.... (I'll let that one linger)
I'm excited! You certainly do not have to be a member of our church (or Presbyterian for that matter) to come and the luncheon is free (childcare is $5 per kid-must reserve your place).
Join us!
Morning Sounds
Starfall being played on the computer...
The shower running...
The coffee pot gurgling...
A two-year old's lisp for more "bekfast- in a cup, Mommy"...
Sleepy little boys making breathing sounds on the couch, with covers and their mommy close by...
It's nice. I don't want to start the day. I like sitting here. Today's a running day. Busy, busy week this week. Five more minutes...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Booooring...
I guess it's not horrible, but it's just not POW!. I'll be back in a bit...
Spring Formal
This is all the girls ready to go! Don't they look great? To me, it is still fun getting dressed and ready to go somewhere special with a bunch of my friends. The bedroom reeked of hairspray, nail polish, and girliness. It was fun!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Boot Camp
I have no defense for the 5K boot camp (did I have a defense for the thrift store boot camp?). I'm kind of a control freak with the stopwatch and I like to be on the outside of everybody who is running. mmm, fun. I'm not helping my cause of "getting more people to train for a 5K", am I? Or maybe you need someone like me to boss you within an inch of your life.
Speaking of running... I'm due at the gym in 25 minutes. Better go fetch my whistle and baton. Get moving!!!!
PS... I love my friends, and I'm grateful that they want to be friends with a crazy, bossy, pushy, cynical, OCD person like me. They show me grace. Teach me more!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
New Read and An Insecure Moment
On a completely different note, the walls are closing in on me about moving. For those who have asked, Nope, we don't know (still) about the house. We have sent in a deposit for married housing (which would be fine), but it is a bit unnerving to not know where we're going to live. My heart starts to beat fast and my eyes get wide-eyed when I think that about moving to a new city, where we don't know where we'll go to church, my kids don't know any kids, my husband doesn't have a job (and neither do I), and he'll jump into going to school. Full-time. My life is about to be REALLY different. I'm not comfortable with that. I'm scared. What is next for us? Man, I'm such a drama queen. I know that the Lord will take care of us- He has always provided for our needs. I have a feeling that the next three years, although different than we've ever done before, will be an entirely new adventure. Maybe I'll grow up a bit.
An itty, bitty, chubby man just climbed into my lap (no, not Quinn) and I've got to smooch his cheek.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
My Busy Boys
I also wanted to post about a new training session for our 5K group! Next Monday (the 14th), there is a new group starting the "Couch to a 5K" training. We train Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the gym at Community Presbytarian Church at 8:30. It's easy and fun to do with a group of women! Our next 5K that we are planning to do (which the new group may or may not want to do) is on May 10th. It is sponsored by the Birmingham Zoo and it costs $25 (pre-registration- $30 at the event). If you don't think you would possibly be able to do it- surprise yourself and try it for a month and see what is accomplished. Join us!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Picture Day and Springtime
We had a good time, except that both of her costumes were, "too itchy, Kimmy!" (I love that her and Logan still call me Kimmy- left over from long ago).
Of course, there are approximately 75 pictures of Lana and maybe 5 of Logan. Girls are so complicated! "Kimmy, I don't want to sit there, it looks too itchy!" I'm sure I was NEVER was like that. I also took pictures of Zach and Eric (we had a big picture day at my house). It was a fun day! And yes, that is a frog in that picture with Zach. Cool, huh! I have to say, I love to take pictures (of little kids especially), but I abhor burning it on a CD; there are still some things that illude me on the computer. Like I had to burn all the kids on one CD; (instead of giving the mothers just their own kids on one CD) I couldn't remember how to do that on the 'puter).
It was lovely walking around the yard and seeing the things in bloom. I love seeing the south in bloom! I think wisteria is just about my favorite thing that blooms in Alabama. I remember the first spring that I lived here (in '97) that I was amazed by the beautiful blooms. I had never seen anything like it. They grow wild (everywhere) and they just appear out of nowhere and last for about two to three weeks. I think I freaked out everybody I would ride in the car with by screaming "THERE'S MORE! IT'S EVERYWHERE!" I still do that occasionally. It's just so pretty. And the smell! You cannot imagine how yummy it is. My first spring break in Alabama, I made a trip back to Orlando to visit the fam. I traveled with Missy, Michelle, and our friend, Debbie. I just had to pull over on the side of I-75 in Georgia to clip some wisteria to take home to my mother. We clipped quite a bit and there was no room in the trunk to store them, so we put them in the back window of the car. It smelled pretty good at first, but then it started to be overwhelming. I think we all had an enormous headache by the time we got to my parent's house. And the wisteria had all wilted. So now I just wait for it to bloom and admire it until it disappears. I hope you're enjoying spring where you are!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Updates
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Things I am thinking about...
I updated a couple of fashion links. Whimsical Nerd has become a new favorite. She's witty and she dresses cute. I think that probably her style is more Madison Russell or Ashley Brumlow (some cute teenagers at my church who like vintage eighties clothes) which I could NOT pull off (I'm too old), but I love her writing style. Blog Fashion is definitely more my style of dressing. I certainly love her shoe collection. I have a host of other links I need to add, but I don't feel like doing it right now. I promised Laura Morgan I would post the link to Whimsical Nerd.
I've been feeling kind of blah since our company, Weyland and Katie, left. I cannot post about their situation, but please be in prayer for them as they are trying to adopt a baby.
I'm still wearing my pj's.
I made banana bread with my boys earlier and it smells delish. I'm very proud of my boys. They are sweet and smart. I'm so thankful that God gave me my family.
I need to take down my Christmas card wreath. I don't know why I like to leave it up. I like to look at the pictures of my friends and family, I guess. Quinn just looks at the wreath (you know the look), then looks at me (you know that look, too). Maybe tomorrow.
I want to go to the beach. And read a good book.
I found an ENORMOUS, white, floppy hat the other day at Walmart for $2.00. I love it! It just reeks of "Hello, dahling... please bring a lovely iced tea whilest I lay here on the lounge... thank you, luv". I will be called snotty this summer for wearing it, but I don't care. I really just don't want anymore ENORMOUS freckles on my face.
On April 19th, our church is hosting our famous annual women's luncheon. I look forward to it every year. This year our theme is "Life, Joy, Pleasure". There are different seminars before lunch (this year I'm doing a seminar about dressing fashionably for cheap- nope, not at all nervous about that). Different women host tables (set with their own china) and we have a fabulous speaker and great music. If you'd like to come, just let me know. Childcare is $5.00 per kid. It's always a good time.
I'm excited about running a 5K on Saturday with Paige and Heather. Again, if you think you could never, EVER start running, then take a look at this link on training for a 5K. The title "The Couch to a 5K plan" should encourage you a little... I've loved training for it again.
Well, it certainly is nearly 1:00 now and I'm still in my pajamas. My kitchen is gross and I probably should vaccuum and sweep before piano lessons at 2:00. The banana bread is distracting me; I must go cut a slice...
Later peeps.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Do Not Read This Ginger
I have clean breath now.
I think I will probably do mouthwash again though.
It was crunchy, but it didn't taste like anything.
Well, maybe taco soup, a little.
John Piper on the prosperity gospel
You may have seen this before. It is appropriate today. Quinn and I have watched a loss, witnessed deep grief, and have seen that Jesus is enough. Today. And I am sad. But, He is still sufficient. We are praying still...