Just a few thoughts:
Popularity: unranked [?]
I started browsing Old Navy’s site the other day and just couldn’t quit mentally adding items to my wish list. The past few seasons with Old Navy have been sketchy for me. I thought I’d officially grown out of their style but I’m pretty excited about these. Pretty basic but I love the rich colors.
So basically this is what I look like nearly every fall. Jeans and a sweater. Cool shoes and some jewelry if I’m lucky. I’m so looking forward to jeans! I would wear them year-round if it weren’t so hot!
Sweaters and Jeans, Oh my by bennettaj featuring old navy jeans
Popularity: unranked [?]
I knew there was one more thing for my list today. This deserves it’s own post anyway!
I have been saying for years that my friend Dani needs to start a blog but we could never quite settle down and get to it. I finally wrangled her to my office and thus, MotherofFashion.com was born. We’ve been working several late, Starbucks-laden nights (why yes, I do work for coffee) working on the design and I’m super happy at how everything has turned out. Dani is a fashionista at heart and always looks her best but just under those cute clothes is one of the biggest hearts I know. Through the site, she wants to share her fashion secrets to help us all look and most importantly feel our best. The best thing I can liken this to is a Mommy version of What Not to Wear.
She’s just getting started but has caught the blogging bug and has lots of plans oozing out of her creative mind! I simply can not wait to see where this goes! So hop over there and first tell her welcome and second, give her a big Happy Birthday message for today!
Love ya, Dani!
Popularity: unranked [?]
I have so much to tell you that I made a list while I was walking on the treadmill this morning at the Y.
1 – Let’s start there! Three days this week I’ve gone to run/walk at the Y after dropping the girls off at school. I can’t tell you how good it feels to start the day like that. Then, midway through the day it’s like, wow, I don’t have to think about exercising because I did it HOURS ago. Win!
2 – We got a new roof! The roof, the roof, the roof is on fyah…ok, it’s not and it wasn’t. That’s just the song I start singing every time I say roof. Actually we had hail damage a few months back along with many people in our neighborhood. I think we’re the 5th house or so. The shingles are a little darker and we got the 3-ply shingles.
3 – The girls had Independence Day at school on Tuesday. Lexi grabbed Emma’s hand and they walked in like that. Emma took her to her class and then walked to hers. It still blows my mind that she would be the one leading someone into school. A teacher stopped her though and told her she couldn’t do that again so Emma walks her to the commons area and then they each go down their own hall. They are SO cute together and I love that they love each other so well.
4 – We bought Monopoly Tuesday night. Can’t tell you how disappointed I was to find the size of the property cards and color of Baltic and Mediterranean Avenue have changed. I don’t know why. Sometimes I don’t do well with change.
5 – MrsFussyPants is hosting a discussion on CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. Since reading Mere Christianity I’m psyched to jump in on that one.
6 – Marla Taviano is hosting a Radical Readalong. I’m so excited to see what comes out of that.
7 – I tried out Facetime yesterday and it was amazing! Excellent quality video and sound. It’s like having a high quality, mobile web cam. So much easier to show stuff to the other person. Not that I do that, you know, but just the fact that you can is pretty cool.
That’s it, I hope your Thursday is going well!
Popularity: unranked [?]
Saturday at Trader Joe’s we attacked the cheeses with a recommendation of supreme brie and little other knowledge of what we were doing. Back when we went to Grove Park Inn for our anniversary, we got the cheese and fruit plate and since have been randomly getting ”expensive cheese” and trying it. Normally we stick it with a cracker or piece of fruit. Very unblogworthy but today…today I have something you need to hear about. I don’t know where I’ve been all my life without this brown sugar and walnut brie thing but I’m so glad it’s here now.
I did kind of my own thing, mixing the recipes here and here but tweaked it for a single serving.
Just stack the full block of cheese, sugar and then walnuts on a cookie sheet and then bake it for 2.5 minutes on 450.
Because we were out of any sort of crackers besides goldfish, I made very thin slices of a small sourdough bread loaf we were given and then toasted those in the toaster oven. When both were done, I put a scoop of the mixture on the bread. The brie is pretty soft and melted by this point so it’s more like a dip.
Somewhere around the last bite, I remembered I should have taken a picture so there you have it.
Please do not try to count calories. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Popularity: unranked [?]
I have enjoyed watching exactly ZERO TV this summer. Yes, Friday Night Lights was on NBC but honestly that Friday night schedule didn’t work out for me too well. I would really like to continue the no TV into the fall but I really do love these shows. Many I will DVR and watch later but this is my list for now.
1. Monday – Lone Star
This is a new one with “Tyra” from Friday Night Lights. I can’t NOT check it out and all the entertainment blogs are raving about it.
2. Monday – Hawaii Five-0
Former LOST star turned police officer? I’m in. But I’ll ditch it fast if it’s not amazing.
3. Tuesday – Parenthood
Parenthood is funny and dramatic and real.
4. Tuesday – One Tree Hill
Well, duh.
5. Tuesday – Glee
This one honestly could come or go. Even last season I was mainly watching from DVR and it’s another I’ll ditch if it’s not amazing.
6. Wednesday – Hellcats
I have to check this one out at least. I loved Bring It On and I love Ashley Tisdale. Plus it has One Tree Hill alum Robbie Jones.
7. Wednesday – Modern Family
Not to be missed! Hilarious TV! Also one of of few shows Scott and I will watch together.
8. Thursday – Vampire Diaries
Going into this season, it’s one of my favorites. Drama!!
9. Thursday – My Generation
This one is going to be interesting. Two Friday Night Lights alums are in this and I definitely want to see what it’s about.
10. Thursday – Grey’s Anatomy
Um, hello? I’m an original Grey’s fan. Watch it. Own it. Love it. Seriously.
And optionally Dexter. I don’t have Showtime so I won’t be able to watch but if people start chattering about how good it is, I might have to break down and get it for a few months.
Obviously, I’m a drama fan! With endless time, there are many more fabulous shows I would like to add (Lie to Me, Big Bang Theory, Chuck, The Middle, House, How I Met Your Mother) but 2-3hrs/night is already too much!
What’s on your must-see list for the fall? What am I missing? I found FNL from a comment on my list last year!
Check out more top ten lists over at http://ohamanda.com
Popularity: unranked [?]
Last week the rest of school went swimmingly. I actually went to school 2 of the 3 days to eat lunch with the girls. What can I say? It really couldn’t have been a better start to the school year. I just hope Independence day when the girls have to walk themselves in will go just as well. That’s when Emma REALLY had the issues in K. Emma says she’s going to walk Lexi to her class and then go to hers so yay for awesome big sisters.
Friday night and Saturday morning I had to work so it was just laundry and general putzing around the house. Saturday my niece came over for a few hours and we ended up in the pool. Saturday evening we ate with Mom and Dad and then all ventured over to Trader Joe’s for the first time. After putting a call out on Twitter and Facebook we were directed to lots of yummys that we’ve been taste-testing over the weekend. My favorite so far are
But seriously? They are only like 3” long. They are like baby ice cream bars. Come on, TJ!
Last night my niece stayed with us and we all went to church today after Scott got the day off. We randomly picked a restaurant to eat at since kids eat free and ran into some family friends. We ended up eating with them and having a nice lunch. This afternoon I spent some time with the girls with their pottery wheel which Emma has been begging me to do all week. We were able to turn some very small, uneven bowls. I think the girls are happy with them which is all that matters.
This evening we made a huge step and joined our church at their Partner class. I really think Satan was using fear once again to keep me from going. I got so nervous about sharing my testimony they had us write out. I have no idea. It’s a very simple, non-glamorous story. Well, very glamorous in what He did, but not drama-filled. Anyway, I was nervous the whole afternoon, almost backing out even though there was no indication we’d even have to share our story with others. After some serious prayers, I felt the YES I needed and off we went. I’m super-excited to finally make it official. Not as if we haven’t already been committed but now we literally have signed on the dotted line (AND didn’t have to share our stories to the large group). I’m ecstatic to see how God will use us there (as long as it’s not sharing my testimony to a large group. I KID!).
So tomorrow morning I’m off to the gym after school drop-off for the first time in months. I’ve really slacked since the pool has been opened. Who wants to give that up for a sweaty gym? I seriously have to buckle down again but I say that every August, don’t I?
Popularity: unranked [?]
Today’s Frequently Asked Question was: What is the will of God?
Romans 12:1-2
Before you can know God’s will you have to say yes to Jesus. Your choices don’t matter until you give Him Lordship. Once He is Lord, we are to be a living sacrifice.
God puts guard rails in our life to keep us “on the road”:
Ways to know his personal specific will:
You can check out http://northrockhill.com/messages/ for the full message online.
In light of upcoming job changes, I REALLY needed that list. I was on the right track but just a great reminder.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Flirty, Purply, Lacy Fall by bennettaj featuring Oasis tops
I just need to know which shoes you’d pick.
You can find more Fashion Friday at Musings of a Housewife, Girlymama, Mommies with Style, Water Water Everywhere
Popularity: unranked [?]
I couldn’t quit staring at these ladies at lunch today.
At first I was taken by their looks and outfits. They have cute hair cuts, trendy yet age-appropriate clothes on and stylish hand bags. I thought, man I hope I’m in their shoes at their age. My fashion-conscious friends and I retired, spending lunch at a bistro…
Then I thought how shallow that was.
Is that what I’m aiming for? Just to look pretty and eat good food? Not to say that’s all to them because I don’t really know those ladies or what they’ve been through or done.
But it made me think about what I DO want? What do I want 30 years from now? What do I want my story to say?
Scott said yesterday lying in bed considering it all we sure do have it made. And I guess we do in some ways. No complaints from me. I don’t begrudge my blessings but I wonder if I’ll be satisfied with a good lunch and a pretty handbag at a Bistro with my friends.
I feel a rumbling in my soul to see something bigger and better. Not to be satisfied with the simple and easy and pretty. I’m not asking for pain or destitution but I don’t know, its rumbling in there. It really is.
Popularity: unranked [?]
In case you don’t follow me on Facebook or Twitter where I have been obsessively updating their progress through the day, the first day of school was…drumroll, please…a HUGE success! Every single prayer I prayed was answered without fail. We got there early and took Emma to her class. She chose a book and sat with the other 2 kids that were there calmly. Her teacher had hall duty and I think she liked seeing her first thing. I can tell Emma really likes her. Emma was extremely content (yes, I think I’m still traumatized from Kindergarten) so we left her for Lexi’s big drop-off.
Lexi was the second to her room and instead of making them sit outside, they let them go in the class. That was a HUGE help. Those busy hallways are so overwhelming on the first few days! The teachers warmly welcomed them and directed her through her morning routine. They sign in by using the smart board to move their name into either the packed lunch or tray line for lunch. She sat in her square and barely looked back as we watched for a few more minutes from the back as kids started streaming in.
She had no hesitation whatsoever and that made me a happy momma! Scott and I zoomed to the cafeteria for pastries and coffees after which I practically skipped out of the school singing dcTalk’s Free At Last. So much different than the last two years. I’m not gonna lie. I enjoyed not having to run to the next town twice for preschool. I enjoyed quietly working. I enjoyed the house staying neat for 7 hours straight. I was so ready to go get them this afternoon but yes, the break is wonderful.
We did go eat lunch with them today. Scott with Emma and me with Lexi. Both had great reports then and after school. I have no clue what they did all day except they had a good time and enjoyed lunch as you can see in this video…
The only downside is 6:30 comes early tomorrow and the next day and the next. I’m sure I’ll be begging for a holiday soon!
Check out more pictures on Facebook.
Popularity: unranked [?]
I love owls. Can you tell? They were the inspiration for my latest Polyvore set.
Owl by bennettaj featuring Oasis tops
Popularity: unranked [?]
(Lexi is excited when she sees her friend arrive)
Yesterday was meet the teacher for the girls and tomorrow is the first day of school. Most notable is Lexi’s first day of Kindergarten. She’s ready and excited. Which means I’m ready and excited. She has the benefit of most second children and already watched her big sister tackle such a huge new challenge of big school. She knows the hallway, the lunchroom, the library, the principal, how to get her tray and type in her lunch code. Fair or not, she’s way more prepared than Emma. I want to feel the same level of angst that I did with Emma. Because I certainly did. But I also benefit from already going through this. And really, I’m just happy for Lexi. Especially since she has her best friend in her class. I’m going to miss her eating cereal and watching TV and playing Barbies and running all my errands with me but I know this is going to be great for her.
******************************************************
I feel for the first-time parents though. I remember asking the teacher what would happen if Emma just wouldn’t quit crying. At one point would they call me? I can remember a mother giving me a look of compassion while trying not to smile. Yesterday I could have given a set of parents a hug when they asked at what point they would start looking for their son if he never showed up in class or if the teacher would be sure he bought his milk for his lunch because he wouldn’t remember. I guess as first-time parents of students you don’t realize that they’ve done this lots of times and know to look for lost or crying students in the hall or know to be sure to put a name tag on them or know to look for kids that don’t have drinks at lunch. Thank goodness they do but you can’t help it, it’s your job just to make sure.
******************************************************
Emma is ready. She knows her school. She loved her teacher. She knows several kids in her class. She’s happy the her bully is NOT in her class. And she’s already begging me not to take her picture. All is good in the world.
Popularity: unranked [?]
