Sick

Whole family down.....send help :) Seriously though, I feel like crud, we are all yucky. See y'all in a day or so.

Late as always....

Today I'm tired of the internet. I'm cleaning house and going to make an amazing meal tonight. Tomorrow I'll be charged and ready for the week. Just a day late.

I'll be reorganizing my desk and hanging some under mounting lighting under the cabinets that my monitor sits under. Give it a nice glow. I'll take some photos of it all done. I'm holding myself accountable by posting the before (I hope!)

I'll also be tackling my youngest child's room. I'll take some before and afters of that. Whoa. Her daddy moved her into her room while I was out getting cleaning supplies when we moved in. I would have not put EVERY SINGLE piece of her furniture in there, but he did that. Y'all theres not a open space of wall in her room. Poor thing did get the smallest room. I have to admit that her room will take a few days. I'll keep yall updated.

I posted this to my private facebook page and I'll post it here to. I think we should all focus on getting some of the bad vibes out of our lives today. So lets all focus on Matthew's face and boy what a face it is. Focus on our breathing. In through the nose and out through the mouth. Keep it up for several minutes and I promise you'll be feeling alright, alright, alright!! And if that face can't do it for you, well then I'm afraid there's no hope for you. Love ya. Stay good.

Friday Favorites

Today will be Friday Favorites: People, specifically WOMEN. 

I have three daughters, so this list is as much for them as it is for me. My husband and I are raising our own daughters to never shrink away, be heard and always stand their ground. To respect others views and opinions and to show love to those who need it most. So here's my list and yes there is a common theme with all these women....

PS, if you don't agree with my list, I get it. This list is composed of mostly women that stand for what I find important in life. Please do not write ugly things on here because I will just delete them. It is possible to disagree and move on. It's also possible to widen your views and think outside the box you constructed for yourself, I do it every day. I understand everyone has their own convictions and I respect that and I respect them as humans for their convictions. I also love my fellow (wo)man enough to always see them as a person that should be shown respect and love. Unless you're racist, then all bets are off.

Sophia Amoruso!

I love this woman. She was a teenager/young woman going down the wrong path and then she started an eBay business. It took off and she was one of the richest women on Forbes 40 under 40 last year. She has had some bad luck since then, but isn't giving up, just moving to another venture. She's young and beautiful and someone I, as well as my oldest daughter look up to. 

Kelly Oxford!

I love her, she's funny, she's a published author, she's a mom of three and speaks her mind on everything. She started with a Twitter account and went from there. Sometimes she's a little far out there for me, but all in all I can relate with her on a basic level. She's trying to make the world better for her kids, which I think we are all about. She is harsh, so be warned. She believes in tighter gun laws, is very pro vaccine and immigrated here from Canada to work in Hollywood.  

Glennon Doyle Melton

I don't think I need to say much about Glennon. She is such a kind soul to me. I love her to the moon and back. I am proud to call her one my my hero's! I know a lot of people have had a hard time accepting her new relationship, but here's the thing, it's not for us.

Oprah

I mean, come on. OPRAH!! Need I say more? She battled adversity and has become a household name. I have her sandwiched between Glennon and Cheryl because they have both been on her new tv series Super Soul Sunday on her OWN channel, as well as Dr. Shefali Tsabary, below. If you've not seen this series, you should. She has so many amazing guests. So many people we can all learn from. Love her or hate her, you know who she is. 

Cheryl Strayed

Oh Cheryl, I love this woman so much. She is an author and she is a co-host of a podcast called Dear Sugar Radio. I can feel myself in her words. She is most famous for her book Wild, that was turned into a movie made by and staring Reese Witherspoon. I have read the book and watched that movie so many times. I can't say enough good things about Cheryl. I just adore this woman. 

Toni Morrison

Her writing is so amazing. Soul stirring and strong. If you've never read any of her books I think you'd enjoy them. I think everyone would be a better person for knowing her body of work. My favorite is Sula. Love that book. And it's not too long so it's something you could finish in a few days or one if you're like me. 

Jen Hatmaker

Again, like Glennon, I don't need to say much about her, I feel that most women know her and what she stand for. I stand for her. I love her and her family!

Ina Garten

I mean, seriously. The Barefoot Contessa. My dream is own a shop like she had when she first started. A specialty foods store. How amazing would that be. Ina is one of the most amazing women that has ever walked the earth (to me). Her style is impeccable, her recipes are always a hit, her friends make me jealous, her houses, oh my, and Jeffery, what a cutie. 

Dr. Shefali Tsabary

The Conscious Parent is the name of one of her books. She is a Clinical Psychologist, motivational speaker and parent. She has some very insightful and eye opening views on what it means to be a conscious and awake parent. How to let our children teach us how to parent them. How to let them live their own lives, not the lives we have envisioned for them and push them towards. How to raise strong, independent, happy people. I love her message. 

Sheryl Sandberg

I'm sure everyone has heard the phrase "Lean-In", meaning women need to be doing more of the leaning in the conversation pertaining to Business and Leadership, but also men need to be supporting and accepting of this. Even if you're trying to generate income from a blog or start up an Instagram business I think this is a woman you should be paying attention to. She is a widowed mother of two daughters, so she's speaking from experience when it comes to the work place and what is expected from working mothers vs working fathers. She is a great inspiration to myself and I hope you'll find that as well.   

Mayim Bialik

Yes, Blossom, yes Amy Farah Fowler. And yes, she's very controversial right now. I agree with her sentiment and will stand beside her convictions. Beyond that, this is one smart cookie and that's what I love most about her! Child actor who gave it up to get a PhD in Neuroscience. I would so love to see one of my 3 daughters go into the field of sciences. 

I will leave with this one last photo of the ladies that inspire me every single second of my life. My daughters. 

The list is long and there are so many others that inspire me daily that I could add to this list. If you made it all the way though, then ya!! Love and peace to you!! Make the world better today than it was yesterday. 

Cooking

My middle daughter has always loved to cook and I so enjoy that. It's something she and I can do together. I can share with her something that is important to me. But last Sunday her older sister came to me and asked me to teach her to cook. I picked myself off the floor and said, ABSOLUTELY!! I am so happy for this. I don't want to send my kids into the world not knowing how to do things like cook, do their laundry, and pay bills. I think it's so important to know how to feed yourself. If you can gather a few ingredients, you can turn basic staples into a beautiful mean.

(I think this is what she felt like, HA!)

Well we had already had our Sunday meal planned and it wasn't an easy one for beginners. We had Chicken and waffles with black berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. All from scratch. Homemade. Every bit of it. But she wanted to learn and I wasn't going to turn her down. So I first started with the cobbler to see how she'd handle it. She did so well, and was so proud of herself that she was able to take berries, sugar, flour, butter, water and some lemon juice and zest and make into something so yummy. After cobbler, we moved on the hard stuff, fried chicken. I taught her about the pan. While she was doing all that I had the middle child making the ice cream and the waffles. Now, I realize that it sounds like I'm talking about a small child and not a 15 year old, but she's never had a bit of interest in learning to cook. Her motto has always been, "If I learn to do it for myself, THEN I'll have to do it for myself, no thanks!" I mean kinda a smart move if ya ask me. Ha. Anyway, I'm looking for things for her to make that'll be great for beginners. I've started a Pinterest Board for all those recipes, hop on over there and check it out.

(this is what they think they looked like, haha)

Unfortunately, I have no pictures of us cooking, due to the fact that we were cooking with hot oil and I didn't want to let that get out of hand. So I just spent the time guiding them and talking to them. It was great. Hope you all can excuse that. So instead of pictures of my cute teenagers cooking, here are some attractive men! Enjoy!

Someone is looking out for me and my kids.

This is a strange post...but here goes. I live in a very nice town/city in Oklahoma, outside of Oklahoma City. And of that town, I live in one of the more affluent area. Not to say we are rolling in dough, we are not, but we do well and live within our means. My kids go to public school and I drive a paid off minivan, when I want to drive an Audi A-6. We live kinda out in the country, closest store is a 20 minute drive, no street light or many people, but we do live in a subdivision of about 50 houses. All nice homes with 1 acre lots, tons of room, but almost no one has a fence. I'm a house that has a fence. Our neighborhood is gated, I never thought we needed the fence and wanted to tear it down. Now I'm glad for it. It's such a safe place though, where kids can play and run around the neighborhood with one another with zero fear from parents. Doors can be left unlocked and if your garage door gets left up, you'll wake the next morning with zero fear that all the bikes were stolen.

Well last night that all changed. While we were all asleep someone or a few someones broke into several houses and cars. And not just stealing TV's and stuff. Nope, those things were left behind for the most. They broke in and took pictures, drivers licenses, birth certificates and social security cards. While people were in their houses asleep WITH THEIR CHILDREN!! Do you know how frightening that is to me. That someone could of just walked straight into my house while myself and my children were here asleep. I mean it makes me sick to think about.

It also makes me sick to think that these don't sound like some just run of the mill break ins. People looking for easy things to pawn. No this was calculated, they were looking for specific things. Things to steal peoples identity. Or to even sell to others. That is so scary, that can ruin your credit and take years to clear up.

My husband is on week 3 of being out of town, which makes it worse for both he and I. He's scared for us and I'd feel better if he were here. The real freaky thing is that at 11 pm last night as I was drifting, I sat bolt straight up in bed and thought "YOU DIDN'T SHUT THE GARAGE DOOR! SOMEONE COULD WALK RIGHT IN!" So I got out of bed, and checked, sure enough it was wide open. I closed that and preceded to lock all 4 doors in my house that were unlocked. I seriously think someone was watching out for us last night!

So tonight we are Fort Knox. Doors are double checked and locked, all windows have been checked and both dogs get the run of the house tonight, instead of being crated in the office, just as a warning to anyone who might try to break in.

Save and Splurge

I love sales, and second hand stores. But I don't shop at sales to just shop. If I need something or want something then I'll go out and see if I can find what I'm looking for on sale somewhere. If I can't find whatever on sale, then can I find something comparable on sale. Or I'll hit up Nordstroms Rack, or TJ Maxx. There are a few things that we don't worry too much on buying off brand or sales. Shoes. We are kind crazy about that. Especially running shoes. I look for sales and normally am able to find something when it comes to running shoes, but there are brands that each of us like and we stick with those brands. Formal dance dresses. I will always shop off season for those. I know the girls are going to go and I know that this dress cost a trillion dollars during prom season, but look, now it's June and it's on sale, by like 85%, YAY!! After Homecoming season is a great time to shop too! Also, buying someones old dress is great too, worn once....seriously once. My oldest isn't bothered by that at all, thank goodness. Middle one......well......before she finishes HS I feel I will buy her one full price dress and I will cry. Ha!! Not really, but it will hurt.

I think we are just a run of the mill family. We save where we can and put the rest away, because something will always break.

That being said, my middle daughter loves Vineyard Vines, Brooks Brothers, Simply Southern, Michael Korrs, Coach and LV purses, Vineyard vines, Patagonia, Lululemon, Volunteer Traditions, did I mention she likes Vineyard Vines? I will do resale sites for some of those things, and sales, but we upsize buy for her and she will wear the heck out of her stuff. I also am a laundry freak and everything is handled with much care, then we resale once she's outgrown, or whatever. All of those mentions brands resell very well, so the expense can be partially recouped.

Now that was for the family. For my own personal self, I spend on sunglasses, jeans and kitchen stuff. I LOVE to cook and am good at it. I have very expensive knives, cookware, bake ware and so on. I use it a lot and know that when it comes to these items price really matters in quality. Same with sunglasses. I got a new pair for Christmas, a pair of Ray-Bans. Not too outrageous, compared to my last pair. But my last pair lasted me 6 years. They were a beautiful pair of Versace sunglasses, that just got worn out. You can find a used pair on ebay for $75 if you'd like a pair. I think my hubby paid $350.00 for them 6 years ago. These are not my sunglasses on ebay, I don't know who they belong to. Not trying to help any seller out, just if you want them, heres a way to get them because they are discontinued.

No I wear these pretty little loves. I love everything about them, except they don't stay on my head as well as the old ones did. Link here, if you want them. 

I'll spend a small fortune on a purse. No joke. LV makes my heart stop! Love them and feel like they wear so well and you can carry them forever! I also have a huge collection of Coach purses, but rarely carry them anymore. LongChamp is also a favorite. I love their nylon bags so much and they will take a beating.

My husband is a game nut. He loves board games like crazy and that's where he splurges. He has so many games its not even funny!! And TV's and speakers and bluRay players. And internet. 

Also Going out to eat. We love it! We don't mind spending for a great meal and great drinks with great friends. It's something so memorable and you really connect with others over a great meal. And you will talk about it for years. Remember that one restaurant with so and so and that fooooood! Thats us!

Sorry if this post is a little disjointed and rambling (and late), I'm feeling that way too. 

PS Diet, HA! I'll try harder though. 

Friday Favorites

Holy Cow is it Friday? TGIF for sure!! I'm over this stomach bug that has been here visiting this week!!

Lets move onto the things that just make me so happy this week!

Candles and more candles. I love candles!! This is one of my current favorites....

White Barn Mahogany Teakwood

This Old Navy Chambray Shirt is the most cozy thing ever!! Being a large busted woman button downs aren't always my BFF, ya know what I mean? But this one has all the room needed! 

My new knives. Oh man, they are SHARP, I've cut myself a few times, but so worth it! 

Wusthof Classic I got the darker block.

This Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven. I have a large one, but for Christmas my husband got me a smaller one (4.5 qt) and it's just the perfect size for doing so much. I love it bunches!!

Burt's Bees new Coconut & Pear lip Balm is the Balm. Haha!! Get it Balm.....anyway.....I love the stuff. It smells and tastes so good. And it does a great job on my lips! 

I got this Georgia Peach and Sweet Tea set from Bath and Body works for my youngest daughters teacher for Valentines day. My daughter's name is Georgia so we're going to say her teacher is a Peach and then give her a gift card to McAllisters for Sweet Tea. Ha...Haa! Anyway I digress, it smells so good I'm going to go and get myself and the big girls some!

I don't drink soda, but I sure do drink Le Croix! My current favorite flavor is Le Croix Apple Cranberry. So dang good!!

Here's an oldie but a Goodie! Skinny Pop White Cheddar. 45 calories a cup. So when I'm wanting some salty chips, this is the best bang for the buck (or calories!)

And my favorite TV show right now is American Housewife on ABC. I just love this show. I love the dynamic between the charterers. While I love Katie, I also just love Viv! Plus one of Katies BFF's on the show is one of my real life all time favorite comedians, Ali Wong! If you've not checked it out, do so, and I hope you like it!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Birthday baby

My oldest child is 15 today. Someone shake me awake and tell me it's a dream and she's still a baby. I can't even believe she's 15. She was a feisty baby and toddler (and every age). She did not like to sleep, she was a night baby. She had never met a stranger and would chat up anyone. She had the sweetest face and that curly blonde hair. Oh my, she was such a cute baby and toddler, but so stubborn! Her favorite tv shows were The Wiggles, Bear in the Big Blue House, Blues Clues and movie was Nemo and then was any of the Barbie movies. She's always loved to draw and color. She has grown into a wicked funny, smart, loving human. She has compassion for all those who have less than her and she wants to fix all the injustices in the world. She's an amazing artist and writer and free spirit. She loves to read, to listen to music and to paint. I have so little time left with her as my own and I know that. It's so heart breaking that we are entering the phase of parenthood where we can see the actual adult they are becoming. That in a few short years I will have to let go and trust that she will navigate the world with confidence. That she will take her light and shine it on others. Y'all it really does make my heart ache, like nothing I've ever experienced before. But there is also so much pride and love. I don't have all my picture, I still haven't un-boxed everything, so I don't have photos of her from itty bitty but I have some from the last seven or so years. Except the first one, she was two and a half.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl. I'll love you forever and then some more. 

Back on the Wagon....

Fitness wagon, that is.

I don't know how it's happened (Yes I do) but it has. I've not worked out, like really worked out in so long. I've not stepped in a gym in years. And boy is my body showing it. On top of the fact that I'm so out of shape, I also have high blood pressure.

I need help you guys.

Is anyone out there doing anything to get kick started? I need some motivation. Like I know what I should be doing but I am so "busy". But lets be honest, I'm not that busy. My kids are older now and I have a ton of free time during the day. I could spend an hour less on the internet freaking out over who said what to whom. I could spend an hour less in front of the TV. Or instead of sitting on my butt reading I could stick that book on a treadmill to read or download it on Audible so I can listen as I walk/run outside.

Then there's food. I do pretty good. I don't drink soda and don't overeat too bad. I LOVE TO SNACK. Like I have an addiction or something. Tonight I made us dinner and I didn't over eat by any means, but an hour later I wanted something, so I picked pop-tarts. Why??? I know the calories in those suckers, but I reason with myself. I'll break the edges off and give them to the dog, that's gotta be 50 calories less (what?) and dang it I didn't have much for lunch and well I slipped at breakfast but that was so long ago and I can't hang on to things........ Y'all see the issue right? I have to stop making excuses for myself. I get so upset when I do this, and even worse I get enraged at my own husband for doing this. Yes I use a calorie counting app, but that doesn't mean I have to log them all. *I'll Feel bad if I do. Whaaaa* I'm over that too. Too bad, feel bad. I owe it to myself to be healthier!

So I hope to use this platform to hold myself accountable. I will do 30-60 min of exercise a day and I will be more concision of my food intake. I will post my daily goal and if I reached them each day at the bottom of each post.

If anyone is reading, have you tried Core De Force?

I don't know if my wimp self could manage this without needing to be taken to the ER. HA!! 

Anyway, if you're out there and wanna chime in, please feel free, I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Camera Roll

Here's what hanging out on my camera roll from the last month.....Yikes, a month!

Daddy and Georgia making a Ginger Bread house

Pickles getting snuggles from Claire, as always.

Lydia and Claire loving each other, instead of screaming at each other. So much nicer!

Christmas morning before they started to tear into everything. It was such a good day, and evening.

The homemade Coconut Cake I made for Christmas dinner. Wish I would of gotten a photo of that meal. Beef tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, Burgundy mushrooms and rolls. SO god!

Two days after Christmas we drove to Arkansas to meet up with our Memphis BFFs! This was on the way home. 

Had to take our Memphis friends to our favorite OKC pizza place. Empire Slice House is the BEST!

Whoever it was that said you can't buy happiness, doesn't know me and my love of these ink pens! I LOVE Paper Mate InkJoy Pens! Like a lot, I love them. 

New Years Eve I made Pulled Pork Sandwiches. They were so amazing. In part to my dear friend sending me two bottles of the amazing Corkys BBQ Sauce! I know everyone has their sauce, and Corkys is mine. I think Memphis BBQ is the BEST! 

Another JOY for me, planners and calendars. I love them! I got the Lilly Pulitzer small agenda to take along with me and the Kate Spade lager one for my desk. I just love them both so much!  

Just my little doggy snoozing like a people. So cute.  

Some of the books I want to read in 2017.... 

Sad day, Memphis friends go home till summer.  

My middle childs room. I just don't know how she manages to live in there and I'll be danged if I clean it. She's 12, old enough to do it on her own! 

Me the morning the news was SURE snow was coming and I needed milk. In the South/South-West snow freaks folks out! I mean WOW, Freaks Folks OUT! 

Just going and getting it over with and LOVING how my sunglasses match my scarf. TOO CUTE! 

THANKS, ONLY OTHER PERSON FROM MEMPHIS IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR REPPING OUR CITY SO WELL. Jerk taking up two spots!! 

This is why I was like YEAH right, snow. Two days ago it was 72 outside.

Well I guess I was totally wrong.The kids were so thrilled!! 5 inches is more than they've ever played in! 

This picture just CRACKS me UP!!!! I mean, look at them. Too funny!!! 

Wise words Mr. Tyson! 

Could someone please hold me. HOW did this sweet baby......... 

....Turn into this teenage girl? She's turning 15 this week. SOBS! 

Then there's this!! She'll be 13 in March. I promise I didn't blink, I was watching the whole time and they still grew up. SOBS Harder!

Seriously, AGAIN! Ugh, last week we got ice and school was out again.  

Snow days are french toast days. I love this Cuisinart Griddler! I mean I love it. I made stuffed french toast and the girls just loved it.  

My cat, she's kinda like a dog. Likes to be wherever I am.  

Claire snuggling Lola. 

And we said Goodbye to our sweet friend Shaggy. We had this sweet boy 2 years. He was Claire's hamster and she was crushed. 

When your trying to keep the cat off the chairs and she refuses to take a hint. Ugh. 

Sweet baby girl was so sick this weekend and is finally getting better, which means I get to sleep in long stretches instead of 1.5-2 hour bits.