....and sunny, with blue skies and the whisper (or should I say trumpet announcement) of 70 degrees. Yay - spring is finally here. Please, please stay.
Tonight, Jason and I are going out to dinner. I may even talk him into a walk around the lakes. Dinner with my handsome husband and a walk afterwards = BLISS. It has been a few weeks since we had a date - the kind where we actually go out and do something. I was starting to feel the itch. Jason must have sensed this because the other night, he asked what we were doing on Friday night and said, "Maybe we should go out to dinner and use that gift card." Yes, please! On Monday when he talked about power-washing and sanding the deck on Friday night....(crickets chirping)....I should have told him at the time how grateful I was that he suggested dinner out.
I'm also kind of bashful because of my new photography hobby. Jason has been very encouraging and (mostly) willing to be a random photo subject. A few weeks ago, he signed me up for an introductory digital photography class, so I went to the class this past Monday. I was so tickled when Jason emailed me during the day and said how excited he was for me that I got to go to the class. When I got home, he wanted me to show me my favorite new tips and tricks. I love that he is so interested in what I'm interested in!
Here's to a fun evening with my rockin' husband!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
MHR
One year ago today, my husband lost his father, Pop, to a five-month battle with brain cancer. Pop was a wonderful, godly man whom we loved so dearly. I had the privilege of being his daughter, if only by marrying his son. He left this Earth too soon, but we believe that the Lord brought Pop home to Heaven in His wisdom. We glorify and praise the Lord for the many gifts He gave us during those final months with Pop. Today, I am reminded that had Jesus Christ not died on the cross for our sins, Jason and I may never have been able to see Pop again.
Jason has made it through a year of missing Pop. Not a day goes by that he doesn't think about Pop in some way. There are tears and a sad face when I know he is thinking about Pop. And yet, Jason's unwavering faith in the Lord and sensitive spirit encourages me. His support for his mom swells my heart. Pop's memory lives on because Jason is so much like him. His good-natured look at every situation, bringing laughter into our home, a deep sense of responsibility for family and friends, a solid faith in the Lord, and even his walk.
I drove to work today, bawling my eyes out, as I heard for the first time this song from MercyMe. It relates so much to what Jason has shared with me as he looks forward to seeing Pop in heaven someday.
Jason has made it through a year of missing Pop. Not a day goes by that he doesn't think about Pop in some way. There are tears and a sad face when I know he is thinking about Pop. And yet, Jason's unwavering faith in the Lord and sensitive spirit encourages me. His support for his mom swells my heart. Pop's memory lives on because Jason is so much like him. His good-natured look at every situation, bringing laughter into our home, a deep sense of responsibility for family and friends, a solid faith in the Lord, and even his walk.
I drove to work today, bawling my eyes out, as I heard for the first time this song from MercyMe. It relates so much to what Jason has shared with me as he looks forward to seeing Pop in heaven someday.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Fashion Friday
There are times when I get it in my head that I need a certain article of clothing. Right now, it is a dress that I could wear to weddings this spring and summer. Granted, I can do this because the weddings are in different circles of friends and family, so there shouldn’t be much overlap in who is going to see it. Except for the fact that all my pics on Facebook of these weddings will show me in the same dress.
I would love to have two dresses, but my budget says only one. And it almost always happens that I never find what is in my head what I want....or it was in my head and when I tried it on, it doesn't fit right.
Four separate shopping trips. Five malls. Only 5 dresses that really caught my eye. I bought them all and asked my friends to help me choose because there have been too many times when I walk out of the house wearing a dress that looks like I’m going to a high school dance. And, believe me, I don’t want to repeat those memories!
Three of them were from a Junior's store: Charlotte Russe, Francesa, and Maurices. The others were from White/Black Market and Herberger’s. I will often go to Junior’s stores for skirts or dresses because the styles are a little shorter and since I’m on the short side, they hit me at the right length on my legs.
Like Big Mama said, one advantage for shopping at Junior’s stores or departments is the price. The coral dress from Charlotte Russe was half of my budget. I used the rest to buy accessories to go with the dress and for some heels at Target for this dress and a black dress that I already had in my closet.
In the end, I ended up with two dresses: the coral one from CR and a black dress that was already in my closet that I spiffed up with new heels, earrings and belt. The black dress is more dressy, so I’ll wear it to the more formal wedding. I know, I know. Wearing a black dress to a wedding is iffy. I’m balancing it out with a cream shrug, gold accessories, coral belt, saucy high heels, and a cream clutch. I can wear the coral dress to the summer wedding, which will be a little less formal.
Oh, and now I must make visits to 2 malls to return the vetoed dresses.
I would love to have two dresses, but my budget says only one. And it almost always happens that I never find what is in my head what I want....or it was in my head and when I tried it on, it doesn't fit right.
Four separate shopping trips. Five malls. Only 5 dresses that really caught my eye. I bought them all and asked my friends to help me choose because there have been too many times when I walk out of the house wearing a dress that looks like I’m going to a high school dance. And, believe me, I don’t want to repeat those memories!
Three of them were from a Junior's store: Charlotte Russe, Francesa, and Maurices. The others were from White/Black Market and Herberger’s. I will often go to Junior’s stores for skirts or dresses because the styles are a little shorter and since I’m on the short side, they hit me at the right length on my legs.
Like Big Mama said, one advantage for shopping at Junior’s stores or departments is the price. The coral dress from Charlotte Russe was half of my budget. I used the rest to buy accessories to go with the dress and for some heels at Target for this dress and a black dress that I already had in my closet.
In the end, I ended up with two dresses: the coral one from CR and a black dress that was already in my closet that I spiffed up with new heels, earrings and belt. The black dress is more dressy, so I’ll wear it to the more formal wedding. I know, I know. Wearing a black dress to a wedding is iffy. I’m balancing it out with a cream shrug, gold accessories, coral belt, saucy high heels, and a cream clutch. I can wear the coral dress to the summer wedding, which will be a little less formal.
Oh, and now I must make visits to 2 malls to return the vetoed dresses.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Dress for Less
Be still my heart! Thank you, Kelly, for introducing me to Sam Moon. You mean to tell me that I can get a necklace and matching earrings for under $10? My husband will be forever ungrateful.
I know a little something about dress for less, cuz I do it all the time! My favorite places to hunt for deals are Ann Taylor Loft, JCPenney and New York and Company, which are my stops today for showing how I dress for less. For me, it all starts with a cute patterned shell or tank that I can use in the winter, spring and summer. Like this one, that I intend to buy when it goes on sale:
I have a similar patterned shell that I bought from ANL from their winter line that has similar colors. For winter or to wear to the office, I pair the shell with a purple or green cardigan and gray work pants. For casual and weekend get-togethers, I pair the shell and cardigan with dark denim jeans like the ones that I bought from New York and Company this winter on sale for $24.50.
Use the same shell that you wore in the winter and pair it in the spring/summer with a short-sleeved shrug and this cute, denim skirt that you can purchase if/when it goes on sale. The shrug will look adorable over any dress. Wear this ensemble to work and then take the shrug off when you're at a BBQ.
The key with the shell, shrug, denim skirt and cardigan is that you can mix and match for several different outfits. Pretty soon you've come up with 15 different outfits with only five staple items!
And here I am with my "winter" outfit. So comfortable that I can even "box" in it!
I know a little something about dress for less, cuz I do it all the time! My favorite places to hunt for deals are Ann Taylor Loft, JCPenney and New York and Company, which are my stops today for showing how I dress for less. For me, it all starts with a cute patterned shell or tank that I can use in the winter, spring and summer. Like this one, that I intend to buy when it goes on sale:
I have a similar patterned shell that I bought from ANL from their winter line that has similar colors. For winter or to wear to the office, I pair the shell with a purple or green cardigan and gray work pants. For casual and weekend get-togethers, I pair the shell and cardigan with dark denim jeans like the ones that I bought from New York and Company this winter on sale for $24.50.
Use the same shell that you wore in the winter and pair it in the spring/summer with a short-sleeved shrug and this cute, denim skirt that you can purchase if/when it goes on sale. The shrug will look adorable over any dress. Wear this ensemble to work and then take the shrug off when you're at a BBQ.
The key with the shell, shrug, denim skirt and cardigan is that you can mix and match for several different outfits. Pretty soon you've come up with 15 different outfits with only five staple items!
And here I am with my "winter" outfit. So comfortable that I can even "box" in it!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Giving them a try
Oh - this taffeta dress at Target is my eye candy! Love it! Thank you, Big Mama, for posting this.
Skinny jeans. I am NOT the model size that can pull it off that easily. Yet, I'm really leaning towards getting some skinny jeans so I can tuck them in the Uggs that I do not have yet. I almost wrote them off, until I saw this post about "curvy girls" wearing skinny jeans, courtesy of The Budget Babe. Thank you, America and Kim, you look fab in them and I'm getting more bold by the day.
Today, I am going to purchase my first pair of black leggings to go under my red cotton tunic - the one I was wearing when my aunt asked if I was pregnant.
Skinny jeans. I am NOT the model size that can pull it off that easily. Yet, I'm really leaning towards getting some skinny jeans so I can tuck them in the Uggs that I do not have yet. I almost wrote them off, until I saw this post about "curvy girls" wearing skinny jeans, courtesy of The Budget Babe. Thank you, America and Kim, you look fab in them and I'm getting more bold by the day.
Today, I am going to purchase my first pair of black leggings to go under my red cotton tunic - the one I was wearing when my aunt asked if I was pregnant.
Friday, February 27, 2009
MHR #12 - Digging Out
They wouldn't call it the snowstorm of the century, but we still got 4 inches of heavy snow on Thursday. I pulled up into the driveway after work and I could see that Jason had shoveled the driveway. Jason didn't answer my "Honey, I'm home!" call when I stepped into the house entryway. I knew he had to leave in 20 minutes for his soccer game, so I wondered what was up. He wasn't in the house or the garage. I walked out onto the driveway, only to see Jason was working on the neighbor's driveway. I had driven right past the neighbor's house and didn't even see Jason through the blustery wind and swirling snow.
Our neighbors are the kind of parental neighbors every neighborhood should have. Not the meddling kind. The kind that are interested and want to watch out for you. They've had a tough year, with the husband having some health issues.
I got my boots out and went over to help finish shoveling their driveway. Yeah, it was still snowing out...but we like to think we got a head start on digging out. We finished it together so Jason could head out to his game.
An extra inch or two came over night, leaving more shoveling to do. Where was Jason as I was pulling out of the driveway for work on Friday? Shoveling the neighbor's driveway, right after he finished ours.
We enjoy our neighbors. We want to be the same kind neighborly kindess that we see our parents have with their neighbors. I don't call Bob and Fran as often as I should. I forget to look up and wave as a car passes by. Sometimes I'm too concerned about meddling, than just making the first neighborly move. I think of great ideas to reach out to the neighbors in the middle of the night, but can never seem to remember them when I'm just being lazy and have the time to actually do something.
But I'm glad Jason is my husband and we're in this together, because he reminds me and little by little, maybe we'll follow through. I'm glad he cares about others. Jason helps me be a little less selfish.
Our neighbors are the kind of parental neighbors every neighborhood should have. Not the meddling kind. The kind that are interested and want to watch out for you. They've had a tough year, with the husband having some health issues.
I got my boots out and went over to help finish shoveling their driveway. Yeah, it was still snowing out...but we like to think we got a head start on digging out. We finished it together so Jason could head out to his game.
An extra inch or two came over night, leaving more shoveling to do. Where was Jason as I was pulling out of the driveway for work on Friday? Shoveling the neighbor's driveway, right after he finished ours.
We enjoy our neighbors. We want to be the same kind neighborly kindess that we see our parents have with their neighbors. I don't call Bob and Fran as often as I should. I forget to look up and wave as a car passes by. Sometimes I'm too concerned about meddling, than just making the first neighborly move. I think of great ideas to reach out to the neighbors in the middle of the night, but can never seem to remember them when I'm just being lazy and have the time to actually do something.
But I'm glad Jason is my husband and we're in this together, because he reminds me and little by little, maybe we'll follow through. I'm glad he cares about others. Jason helps me be a little less selfish.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ready to get buried
Yay! A snowstorm is coming our way. Not just an inch or two. We're talking 4-8 inches. I'm not sure if this snowstorm really qualifies as a typical March "lion" characteristic. You know - March comes "in like a lion and out like a lamb". It's still February. March can give us 31 days of possible "lion" weather patterns.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
