Wedding Planning and Caramel Making

Well, hellllooo!  I dropped off of the face of the earth for about 6 weeks but I have found my way back to my computer and have a LOT of "randomness" to spill.  Betcha glad, huh? *wink, wink*

First off, my daughter got engaged on November 18!!!!

I'm certainly, positively, without-a-doubt NOT succumbing to the pressure of a two-piece-accordion-pleated-sequin-laden-mother-of-the-bride-suit!!!  That being said, I can't tell you how excited I am to have a new career as a wedding planner for the next 8 months.  Now THAT fits me perfectly!!!
I will try to chronicle the planning so I can be reminded in about, say, July....that this was suppose to be FUN!!!
So far, so good!!
Church.  Check.  Reception venue.  Check.  Hair appointments booked.  Check.  (priorities!!)  Guest list refined and limited to only the people we like.  Check.  Save the Dates designed and printed.  Check.  Realized budget was needed.  Check(s).  Bridal party chosen.  Check.  Mother-of-the-bride dress ordered, received, tried-on and returned.  Check. Check and Check.
Yeah, that's about all this girl can handle and still have Christmas gifts for my family.  Check back for updates.  We are going to do this "thang" with all the penny-pinching one can muster up.
Here is my first tip for saving money:  Etsy has beee-U-tiful, graphic-designed invitations, as well as "save the dates",  that you can download and print off yourself.  Who knew!!!

I know better than to do what I am doing right now but, I am doing it anyway.....
I made caramels this week and they are soooo yummy I can't resist.  Give them a try!!!
They do literally take 6 minutes, therefore, the name.

Six Minute Caramels
Five ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup light Karo syrup
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Directions:
Combine all ingredients
Cook 6 minutes, stirring every two minutes
Stir and pour into lightly greased dish
Let Cool
Cut, wrap in wax paper.

Give them a try!!!  Super easy!!!

Hope you all enjoy this time with your family and have a blessed new year.

I'm dragging my lazy self up to the laptop to do a little blogging.  My Pinterest addiction and life has gotten in the way of putting complete sentences together.

The weather is getting waaaaay too cold around here for me and I tend to hibernate in my cozy little house when that happens.  Anything below 60 is frigid to me.

Yesterday, I got a wild hair (hare) and found myself doing a little organizing.  That's definitely NOT my gift.  After $--- and a trip to Target or Tar-Jaaay, as my daughter and I like to call it, I feel like a freakin' Organizing Ninja!!!

My hubs has shoe "issues" see this post for a better understanding.  I give him AMPLE closet space for this little problem of his but, apparently that is not sufficient.  I'm not complaining!!  I love my sharp dressed man!!!  I really have no right to pull out the cocky attitude.  Ya'all have see my "issue" here in this post.

Tar-Jaaay (in my best French accent) was my resource for over-the-door shoe organizers.  I bought two.  I hung one inside my husbands closet door for all of his flip-flops, Sanuk's, and shoes that would squish down flat. The organizer holds 24 shoes.  He has room for 3 more pairs!!  The rest reside on his closet floor or anywhere else you might find them laying throughout the house.
I proceeded to continue this little organizing spree and hung another shoe holder on the back of my laundry room door.  I inserted all of my cleaning supplies, light bulbs etc.  Whoop, Whoop!!!!


I bought this magazine holder for under my bathroom sink to hold my curling irons and such.   I will find many more uses for these little guys.

This really is my first EVER attempt to organize my home.  I might have found a new addiction.  I owe all this to Pinterest.  It's totally changed my life... and I'd like to thank the Academy :)  lol  Not necessarily all good but, nevertheless!

But, seriously you have never seen organization like THIS!!  You gotta check out my lovely, talented and sooo over-the-top friend who could decorate a bed-pan and make it look oh, so cute.  She has made a Christmas Organization Binder that will make you gasp.  I'm serious... I did... out loud.  Check out this bad boy.

I'll let you know how far my addiction takes me.  If I blog about my Christmas Binder.... Please, someone call  for back-up and alert my doctor you are admitting me to the "you-know-what" ward.

Have a great weekend.  I am leaving on a business trip in 12 hours and haven't even retrieved my suitcase from the storage closet.
I LOVE flying by the seat of my pants!!!

I'll Take a Chocolate Dream Over This One!!!

Do you????
The Lindor commercial asks do you dream in chocolate?  Umm.... not so much!  BUT... maybe that would be a welcome change from the buh-zarrrr dreams I have had recently.
Here is just a disclaimer:
I do not do crystal-meth!
I do not drink anything stronger than Starbucks Grande Green Tea!
I do not would like to do pharmaceuticals!

OK, here's the latest bizare-ness (my blog, my words) I have dreamed:
I had a dream.... not like the Martin Luther King kind, either.......
but that I was pregnant with twins............BUT, not in my abdomen.......in my calves!!!  Yep, you read that right, (like the ones between your ankles and your knees).
I told my doctor that I couldn't feel movement.  My calves had grown together.  Once he separated my calves I could feel movement!!  
(Does this have any connection with the fact that I feel like I have an issue wearing some boots because I have thick calves?????)

I still haven't delivered yet.  I'm due in four weeks!!! ;)  I'll post pix's!

I have to create my own entertainment people.  My life is less than calm right now!

Red Bottom Shoes

I might be in the wrong career field with these little numbers...

I made 27 cents doing the laundry today.  This down-turned economy is killin' me people!!!  At this rate....I will be 162 by the time I'm able to purchase these:

Hubs and I spent a quiet, restful weekend shopping the Magnificent Mile.  Three days of shopping until I could no longer look at ANOTHER cute H & M window display.  I am thankful that I am married to a super-masculine man BUT... He can shop like a girl!!  I mean that in the most respectful and honoring way.. *wink, wink*
However, this was the weekend score:
HUBS:
Shoes.......3 pairs

THE LITTLE WOMAN:
Shoes.......O..... ZERO

What can I say?  If he ever decides not to continue in his current career there is hope as a personal shopper!!!!!

My Tribute

Today we said our final good-bye's to a man who was larger than life and a real-life gentle giant.  My father-in-law was laid to rest today.  We grieve the suddenness of his death and regret that we were unable to say some final words.  If I were given that opportunity I believe this is what I would want to say to him:

Thank you for welcoming me into your family, at the young age of 19, and loving me like a daughter.  Thank you for seeing past my immaturity as a young wife and loving me anyway.

Thank you for raising your son to be the man he is today.  He is a kind, loving, sensitive, caring man and I thank you for instilling those qualities in him.  You impacted his life more than you will ever know.  You were his hero, mentor, boss, coach, teacher, coffee buddy and sports re-capper.  He admired you for your hard work and success in everything you did.  I am truly grateful and consider this a gift.

Thank you for being an awesome pa pa to our kids.  I wasn't sure how your big ole self would handle being a grandpa to a little baby girl.  But, you were amazing!  You called her your princess!!!  You spoiled her with a huge Little Tykes playhouse before she could even crawl.  You picked out the nursery bedding and bought every matching piece.  In her sixteen years of dance lessons... you never missed a recital.  Whewww!!  THAT'S LOVE!!!
When you learned we would give you a grandson I, again, watched you love that little guy like only an pa pa could.  You watched his baseball games since he started playing at 4 years old.  You gave him piggy-back rides just to hear him giggle.  When he got older he, like his daddy, followed in your foot steps by playing the catcher position in baseball... and becoming "a decent little catcher" at that.

You will be missed "Big Dave"!!  I am thankful that you made a decision several years ago to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  This is not the end!!  We will see you again in heaven!  We thank God for that.  However, we selfishly grieve our loss but rejoice for Jesus' gain.  As our daughter said in her tribute to you, "Thank you for the great man you were.  Whistle tunes for Jesus and keep your mansion yard nice"

Fall Wreath from Burlap

I write this post from Rehab.... Pinterest Rehab.  It is a virtual Rehab that those who are addicted to pinning pretty pictures of objects we will never buy, clothes we will never fit into, crafts we will never make and recipes we will never try.  We open our meetings with, "Hi, my name is ____ it has been ___ minutes since I've pinned".   But, lucky for you, I have been crafting because of my Pinterest inspirations and am delighted to share this project with you.  

What a beautiful time of year in the Midwest.  I am inspired to put out the pumpkins, candles, and all things "fall-ish".  (I just made that word up... my blog... I can do that)  I found a wreath similar to this on Pinterest and decided to tweak it a little to my liking.  (ok, really just to fit the items I already had on hand)

HOW TO:
wire wreath form from Hobby Lobby $3.99
burlap (free, already had it)

Cut strips of burlap, thin works better.  Tie onto the wire wreath form until you reach the desired fullness.  Add bow.  I added an animal print bow because that's ME.

Fall Wreath

Well, boys and girls... that's all the time we have for today!  Tune in next time when we learn how to make a monogrammed pumpkin!!

Happy Fall!!!

WHY??

I got nothin' except for this little question:

Why would a health website send me an email entitled, "What your belly button is saying about your health".  I can't make this stuff up people.  That is a marketing degree in full use.

GOSH!!!!  As if my last two days haven't been enough of a blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!!!

My comment to that email would be:

I already friggin know what my belly-button is sayin' and I don't NEED an email to remind me of our tumultuous relationship.  MY belly button is saying, "you must have worn a fuzzy shirt today".  "I haven't seen sunlight since 1987".  And I also hear it muttering..."You may need to cut back on the donuts since you have one growing around your middle".  The words, "thank you for not getting that navel ring back in 1985" might also have been heard.  

What tax dollars have been spent on the clinical research to find out "What your belly button is saying...blah, blah, blah".  MINE, you say... (or was that my belly-button I heard??).

Tell Them Kids to Go Out and Play While You Do Your LIPS!!!

I am a "Reality" TV junkie!!  There!!! It's out!!
My latest fascination is Big Rich Texas.  My jaw drops regularly when the characters Bonnie and her daughter, Whitney, exhibit their acting skills.

Well, Botox Bonnie was a true delight last night ;)  She has evidently become the spokesperson for the sparkly shade of lips she was sportin' last night.  In her spare time Bonnie has a ph.d and is a scientist!!  No joke!

Here is a little tutorial for how she gets her Ridiculips!!  Its really quite fascinating... if I do say so myself.  I'm always a sucker for a tutorial.


Add some humor to you Monday!!!

Transformation Tuesday!!! Is a no show...

Blog reader world.....I couldn't transform anything today if my life hung in the balance.  Ok, well, maybe if MY LIFE but, yikes!  (Say "yikes" in your best Scooby Doo or Shaggy voice.  I dare ya)

I had a little surgical procedure Friday (novasure) and today is the first day I have really felt like myself.  I'm still not sure if that's a good thing or if there is room for improvement in that area.  But, I'm full of energy, appetite has returned (kinda wish it hadn't returned quite so strongly) and I am baaaaack!!  That was free of charge and thank you for asking about my well-being ;)

I have had the opportunity to do a little magazine reading and tv watching in the past 3 days.  At each change of season I like to look at Lucky, People Style and Style magazine to receive some inspiration.  Because, quite honestly, I am completely happy in yoga pants and a t-shirt and I need a little inspiration now and again.  Seeing how we are in the throws of NY Fashion week I was prompted to entitle this section as:

Would You Wear This?

WELL.....would ya??

I can hear her whistling "I'm a yankee-doodle-dan-deeee"

How is this for accessorizing??

I am sooo in love with the graduation cap as an accessory for this ensemble.

A day at the beach, maybe???  ;)

I ordered two of these
just in case I get asked to the prom.

I can sooooo see myself in this little number.  Meow!!!

Just can't wait to wear these little numbers to church.  But, in the meantime...

just give me a hoodie and skinny jeans and I am happy!!!

Transformation Tuesday!!! My fall wish list

Transformation Tuesday!!! My fall wish list by dvonahaws featuring aviator shades

Striped top
$40 - topshop.com

Belstaff zipper jacket
$1,525 - net-a-porter.com

Dorothy Perkins cigarette pants
£15 - dorothyperkins.com

BURAK UYAN studded booties
$925 - net-a-porter.com

Proenza Schouler army shoulder bag
$1,995 - kirnazabete.com

Miss Selfridge stone jewelry
£13 - missselfridge.com

Mulberry feather shawl
$1,200 - mulberry.com

Ray-Ban aviator shades
$139 - nordstrom.com

Fun with Food

I have a group of girls that I meet with once a week who are like sisters to me.  For 9 years we have been getting together to laugh, eat, talk, giggle, eat, cry, eat and pray together.  We rotate our meeting house each week.  This week it was my turn to host.  Sometimes I like to get creative in the presentation of ordinary, not so impressive, snack food.  As I confessed in my last post, I have a strong addiction to Pinterest.  Here is just a cute little idea I found while browsing.  BACON and EGGS!!!  No, I'm not real crazy about the idea of serving actual bacon and eggs... like the greasy, runny kind.  But, these are so cute and fun to make.  

Start with stick pretzels (I used gluten-free cause I'm a nerd like that).  Grab some white candy melts.  I don't recommend using the white mint ones like I did... but, that was what I had on hand.  You will also need yellow M & M's.  

Do this....

and this....

Pop in a heated oven for less than two minutes.  Just give the candy melts time to become slightly melted over the pretzels.  Once they are out of the oven and have cooled for approx a minute add the yellow M & M to the center.  Waaaa Laaah!!!!  You have this:

and you get this!!!  ;)

Here is the original Bacon & Egg post I found on Pinterest.  She has a cute little spin on this idea using them for St. Pattys day.

Pinterest just might have changed my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Now, if "pinning" could just burn off a few hundred calories I would be 

Have a HAPPY Dance kinda weekend!!!

Is that your hubs t-shirt tied around your neck?

I have to confess that I am addicted to Pinterest!!!  I mean.... I have a serious addiction.
I have an app on my phone so when I have to wait in line... I pin!  When I'm listening to someone who bores the heck out of me... I pin!  When I am just driving riding in the car...I pin!!  You get the picture.  If you are one of the two people in this world who has never heard of Pinterest send me a message and I'll send you an "invite".  Yes, it is an exclusive club that requires an invitation.  Kinda like a virtual country club *wink, wink*.  Oh, Paw-leeeese!!  Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web.  You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

As I peruse the many wonders and beauty of the cyber-world I stumbled upon this cute little project.  This morning before work I was feelin' especially creative (I swear it's a cyclical thing) and I decided to try it out.
All you need is a t-shirt and scissors.  I grabbed my hubs mowing shirt and started cutting.

the double chin is free!

sorry for the poor pix quality... I'm such an amateur!!!

I cut a few strips off the t-shirt in varying widths.  After cutting strips, pull to stretch.  The sides will automatically curl.  I looped them around my neck, added a little adjustable ring (a broach would work) and waaa-laaaah!


I don't EVEN pretend to claim this as my own creation.  I can duplicate but, that's where my talent stops.    Here is the link to the blog:  http://www.methodhome.com/blog/getting-crafty-hipster-scarves  The writer gives a much better tutorial that I have given.

Gap had 50% off this weekend and I scored these skinny grey cargos for $24!!!!! Makes me smile!

I can't wait to see you on Pinterest......Happy Pinning!!!

Ranting!

Attention Class!!!
I would appreciate your attention while I jump on my soapbox for a tiny little second.... or ten.

I have a teeeeeny little problem with the issue of ... gosh, I can't believe I'm gonna say this *deep breath in*, ok, here it goes.  FACEBOOK!!!!  There!!  It's out there!  I am addicted to this social media just as much as the next guy but, seriously!!  I have to say the single most irritating issue I have is young women (and sometimes not so young) posting scantily-clad pictures of themselves.  

About a year ago a particularly popular exercise program/"business opportunity"/cult invaded our area.  Men and women jumped on that bandwagon with the workouts, shakes and "recruiting for healthy lifestyles". These "coaches" (and I use that term lightly) insisted they could help you lead a healthy lifestyle, lose weight earn extra income...etc. etc.  

Upon achieving their weightloss and fitness goals the self-worship began. ( Just a disclaimer here:  I LOVE exercise!!  I am a regular participant.) 

What I am opposed to is the fact that these, mostly women, feel like it is permissible to post pictures for all the world to see of their half-naked bodies.  

Ladies, as I said in my facebook post, If you value your marriage and respect your husband WHY would you post such pictures for all the world to see?  If you have NO respect for your husband, have some respect for yourself.  In my opinion, nothing SCREAMS insecurity like a provocative, seductive, scantily-clad picture of yourself posted on some type of social media or youtube.

Of course, this is all in the name of "fitness" by encouraging others to "be like you, do what you did".  Can I just say an absolute NO to this kind of encouragement!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you not think our jr. high/high school/college girls have ENOUGH pressure to be thin, sexy etc.!!!!  Do you not think our boys and men have enough temptation staring them in the face EVERY freakin' DAY to look as YOU bare it all!!!!  They don't even have to pay for this kind of show!!!  It's right there...for all the world to see. 

Ladies, do you get what some sick perverted person is doing while they ogle your pictures.  Is your husband, boyfriend or DAD ok with THAT!!!!???

This disgusts me!!!

You don't need the worlds approval of your body and that affirmation is exactly what you are searching for.  

I know, I know... you term "us" as "haters".  

And... to that I say ABSOLUTELY, YES!!!!!  I hate that this society has taken fitness and made it into PORN!  

I hate that women feel the need for acceptance so badly that they would dishonor their marriage or other relationship by showing any and every-one what only their spouse should see.  

I hate that our teenage girls or your own children are observing this as "healthy"!!
SO,.... am I a "HATER"?!  Yep, looks like it!!!!!!
I welcome your comments.. come on... bring it on!!!!

Transformation Tuesday... Aqua and Coral edition

Transformation Tuesday... Aqua and Coral edition by dvonahaws featuring shearling coats

Oasis shell blouse
£45 - oasis-stores.com

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti shearling coat
$4,295 - net-a-porter.com

Supertrash suede jeans
€100 - welikefashion.com

Gabriella Rocha round toe shoes
$75 - zappos.com

Lipsy floral jewelry
£6 - bankfashion.co.uk

Roberto Cavalli ring
$425 - net-a-porter.com

NARS Eye Shadow Trio - Okinawa
$45 - barneys.com

NARS Cream Eyeshadow - Zardoz
$23 - barneys.com

CHANEL - CHANEL Cosmetics and Fragrance | Nordstrom
nordstrom.com

Barneys New York Python Frames at Barneys New York
$85 - barneys.com

Paris Skyline Vinyl Wall Art Mural - WallQuotes.com
$55 - wallquotes.com

Zara Home - WHAT'S NEW - Rings Cushion
€50 - zarahome.com

Harlow 5" x 7" Frame
$108 - addisoncollection.net

For the Love of the Game

Today was a long, hot day with hubs and baby boy playing in a softball tournament.  Eight games were played to reach the championship title.  So proud of the "dedication" and "sacrifice" they have to this church-league, slow-pitch softball team.  I know it is a grueling way to spend a Saturday.  Oh, who am I kiddin'?  Hubs will continue to play as long as he can pick up a bat and limp around the bases.
I should have know his dedication to his "first love" twenty-three years ago.  I really thought he would grow out of it.  Fast forward 20 plus years and I am much more patient, more understanding, wiser tolerant now.

Our first child, Baby Girl, was born in June of 1988 via a long grueling labor that ended in a c-section.  The day she and I were to get out of the hospital happened to be a Sunday.  Hubs always had a double-header on Sunday!!!!!  I remember like it was yesterday,  the morning of our discharge, being game day.  Grrrrrr!!!  Baby Daddy comes barreling into my hospital room bright and early in his ball uniform!!  (awww, just what I had envisioned for the "coming home" pix).  He had lofty dreams of getting a quick discharge so he could make the game.  When he realized this process was not moving along quickly enough he simply says, "Hey, do you think your mom and dad could take you and the baby home when you get discharged"!!???!!!!
Hmmm!  Ummm, let me think about that for a bit.  HECK TO THE NO!!!!


I am so thankful he has stuck with me for 24 years ;)  My answer would be similar, even now, dare he ask.


God makes all things new...

What I Did This Summer

I spent a lot of time with these folk.



...and I couldn't be happier 'bout it!!!

Things Your Momma Never Told You... And You Wouldn't Have Believed If She Did!

Being a woman is both a glorious and difficult job all at the same time

Motherhood is a joy but not always ENjoyed.

Your children will love you and hate you.... all in the same day.

That sweet bundle of joy will someday make you think you just might die of sleep-deprivation!!

Your life will not be perfect even if you DO have the white picket fence.

You WILL feel inadequate and with good reason.

You WILL feel overwhelmed by life.

Life in your 40's can be...ummm...(fill in the blank)

Peri-Menopause sucks!

You will not always like your neighbors.

You will have friendships end in the most hurtful ways.

Girlfriends are a necessity!!!

Ward and June Cleaver and Cliff and Claire Huxtable are characters!  That's not real life.

You can love your dog as much as a family member.

Your 40's can be "delightfully dangerous".

Just because you have "brought up your children in the way they should go" doesn't mean they will be missionaries or pastors.

It's just as delightful to receive flowers from Kroger as a local florist.

It's a total waste of time to fold a fitted sheet.

Vacay Detox

Whewww!  How many posts can I start with the words 'Wheww'?

We are just back from vacation a trip with our kids.  It's vacation when we go by ourselves... it's a trip when we go with the kids.  Our "kids" our now 23 and 20 and it is much different to travel with them now that they are adults.  However, me and hubs, on more than one occasion, found ourselves saying, "it was much easier when they were little".  Now they eat more food than we do and stay up MUCH later, too!!!  On the flip-side, they can share in the driving responsibilities... OH, YEAH!!  A benefit of sharing this responsibility is we get to hear music at the volume of a night club.

I am officially on vacation detox.  Body AND mind!!!  My hubs and I (does it bother anyone else but me that I write in first and second person???  Sorry for that!  Not an English major) have traveled on six (6) trips in the last seven (7) months!!!!!!  *deep sigh*
Most of them have been for pleasure but a couple of them not.
When I travel I have every intention of exercising.  I take my workout clothes, dvd's and such to do just that.  I have failed to ever do this.
When I return home I find myself eager to get settled in, unpacked and back in workout mode.  However, I don't necessarily find it easy to adjust to the quiet.

Random:  Is anyone else roasting or dying of heat stroke??  It is HOT here and I am melting!  I like it though, I just need something to complain about.  If not the heat I will find something else.  I try to always have a back-up complaint just in case the original resolves.

Random:  I discovered a secret obsession while vacationing in the south.  Sweet Home Alabama!!!  WHAT!!!???  The Bachelorette with a southern twang!  Perfecto!!  I'm pullin' for the good ole' boys.  Maybe  the sentiment comes from the fact I married one.  Ok, well, not really.... he just sounds like it.

Thanks for letting me talk...

Turn the quiet up.... turn the noise down.

SHE's Here!!!

I'm SICK!!!  Spent 6 1/2 hours in the ER last night.  I have listened to patients and all of their contagious ailments that often-time included barfing.  (I know... you just signed off... can't say I blame you)  Word is, I'll be feeling as good as new in .... oh... say, a month!!!  SIX hours a CT and ultrasound later for THAT piece of info.?????

The good news on the homefront is my sister delivered a beautiful 6 lb 15 oz baby girl yesterday. Her sweet little self will answer to the name Addisyn Laree.   I'm an AUNT!!!  I couldn't be any more filled with joy.  We have not had a baby in our family in 18 years.  My mom is just beside herself not to mention the fact my sister is radiant.  She looks like someone who has waited her entire life for this moment to arrive.  I'm sure Addi will bring much joy to this family and we can't wait for all her preciousness to descend upon our crazy little family.

BLOG  WORLD..... I would like you to meet my niece  Addisyn Laree

Can I get an awwwww for baby feet.

She looks just like her Momma, which in turn kinda looks like Auntie Vonna.  Umm, yes I love her already.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord..."  Psalm 127:3