They don't fit! It's a sad day for me, but a happy day for my pocket book...
Back to the drawing board...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Jet setting with Duck
This is Honey Bun. We had a great Thanksgiving but it was bittersweet as my grandfather, who we usually celebrate with, was very ill and had to stay home this year. We live pretty far away from one another and I was down in the dumps about missing this opportunity to spend time with him. ACP is great and he bought me a ticket to go see him this upcoming weekend. What a great surprise! The only thing is that my parents are begging me to bring Duck. I'd like to bring her, but I am feeling a little nervous about plane travel with an infant. I did find these helpful tips:
First: Stick to a regular schedule Try to schedule the departure of your trip around your baby's regular naptime or bedtime. That way your baby will sleep for at least part of the trip. "I would recommend that a parent refrain from interrupting a baby's sleep schedule before a flight," says Daniel R Bronfin, MD, clinical pediatrics professor at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans and physician at New Orleans' Ochsner Foundation Hospital. "Trying to sleep deprive an infant, for example, in order to make him/her sleep on the plane, will often backfire."
Second: Plan ahead
Catharine Shaner, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician and advisor with the American Safety and Health Institute in Holiday, Florida, recommends parents try to schedule flights during non-peak times or days, so it is less crowded and less over stimulating for your baby, which can make for a very fussy baby. She also recommends parents call and confirm their travel itineraries with the airlines ahead of time. At that time, request any special seating requirements, such as asking for a bulkhead seat -- where there is no seat in front of you -- which should offer the most room.
"Some airlines do not make these available ahead of time and sometimes the bulkhead may be the emergency exit row," Dr Shaner says. The emergency exit rows are typically off limits for parents traveling with young children.
If you can't get a bulkhead seat, ask to be seated in a "noisy" area of the plane, recommends frequent flyer Phoebe Dey of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. "I think most airlines do this anyway, but if not, I would request it," she says. "Most of the babies were seated in the middle of the plane, right over the engines. Not only does it muffle some of the sound from crying babies, the vibration seems to knock the babies right out."
Third: What to bring
I plan to have a diaper bag handy and packed with the following:
They also recommend bringing an umbrella stroller -- maybe even one that reclines -- or a front carrier to make getting around the airport a lot easier. Typically, travelers will be allowed to check strollers just before boarding the plane and it will be stored with the luggage. The airline workers will then bring it up for just after you get off the plane.
I was planning on bringing my stroller that can snap in Duck's infant car seat just in case there is an extra seat available and I can strap her in (rear facing) on the plane. What do you think? Rear facing car seat or umbrella stroller?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Dream Come True
Hello Honey Bun, Muffie, and Trixie, and Readers!!!
We are here in NYC!!! OMG - it is amazing as always, but especially so since there are twinkling lights everywhere!! this is my third Doc family Thanksgiving in the Big Apple, but this will be the first one where we are staying in the city for Thanksgiving Day. I have always for my whole life wanted to go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Every year on Thanksgiving my family would watch Miracle on 34th St. I loved watching that movie! And each year when we watched the parade on tv, I would imagine myself being there in person to see it. And finally it is happening. Tomorrow we will wake up on the Upper West Side, and walk three blocks to sit and wait for a Snoopy balloon to float on by. Can you just picture it!!! A lifetime worth waiting for! I would say look for us on tv, but there is no way this Southern girl is sitting outside in the cold to get a front row spot. So instead, just think of us!! We will be making the dreams of a little girl (who might be 29) come true.
Is there something you have always wanted to do? Is there a particular experience you have always imagined having??
We are here in NYC!!! OMG - it is amazing as always, but especially so since there are twinkling lights everywhere!! this is my third Doc family Thanksgiving in the Big Apple, but this will be the first one where we are staying in the city for Thanksgiving Day. I have always for my whole life wanted to go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Every year on Thanksgiving my family would watch Miracle on 34th St. I loved watching that movie! And each year when we watched the parade on tv, I would imagine myself being there in person to see it. And finally it is happening. Tomorrow we will wake up on the Upper West Side, and walk three blocks to sit and wait for a Snoopy balloon to float on by. Can you just picture it!!! A lifetime worth waiting for! I would say look for us on tv, but there is no way this Southern girl is sitting outside in the cold to get a front row spot. So instead, just think of us!! We will be making the dreams of a little girl (who might be 29) come true.
Is there something you have always wanted to do? Is there a particular experience you have always imagined having??
It's An Addiction
I love boots. Boots are so fun -- they can be dressed up; they can be dressed down. I am currently loving the look of boots over the top of skinny jeans or worn with a dress and tights. I love boots so much that I have way too many pairs to my name...
Exhibit A:
I bought these Naughty Monkey boots a couple of weeks ago. I had had a pair of brown boots from J.Crew for years. The Farmer got them for me the first Christmas that we were married -- almost 8 years ago now. I have loved those brown boots, but they have started to look a little dated so, I was in the market for some new brown boots. I found these on Nordstrom. They are comfortable and cute and a pretty shade of chocolate. The only problem is that, while I was packing to go out of town last weekend, I found another pair of brown suede boots that I had bought last year and had forgotten about! Luckily they are a lighter brown and flat, so I didn't totally double-buy but I felt really stupid! Just please don't tell The Farmer -- he would kill me! I like my Naughty Monkeys better than last year's pair anyway...
Then there is Exhibit B:
I just ordered these Frye cowboy (cowgirl?) boots last night. I had decided that I wanted some last year, and I even ordered a pair, but then they were backordered. And I bought a Dooney & Bourke bag with my Christmas money instead. I found the Fryes on Piperlime a couple of weeks ago and put them in the shopping cart but never pulled the trigger. Last night I got back on Piperlime and found that the size that I had in my shopping cart was sold out. I am between a 7.5 and 8, so I originally put the 8 in my cart; however, since the 8s were sold out, I decided to hurry up and buy the 7.5s. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will fit!
I figure that these cowboy (cowgirl?) boots are less expensive that the ones that I bought last year, I have a rewards certificate from GAP to go towards my purchase, I have a bit of a credit on my GAPcard, and I will use some Christmas money to pay for them, so I am saving money, right?!?!
And, finally, Exhibit C:
I know that people have a love/hate relationship with Uggs: they either love them or they hate them. I don't have any, but I think they are cute. I know, I know -- people say that they are sweatpants for your feet, but I think they can look pretty cute over jeans. Really, people -- I have seen that look with my own eyes, and I think it can be cute! I would love a pair to wear around town when I don't feel like really dressing up with other boots. And, I have a pair of Danskos that I heard that I had to have because they are so comfortable and wonderful and blah, blah, blah...and I hate them. I only wear them every once in a while, and I always roll my ankle in them. And they are so ugly (sorry if I am offending anyone...)!
Anywho, Miss Priss has asked for real Uggs for Christmas. We have always gotten her the knockoffs from Target, and they have been fine in the past. However, she had a friend who had the real deal last year, and she has decided that she needs the real deal, too. The Farmer and I decided that, since it is from Santa Claus, Miss Priss can get the real things. Since there has been so much talk about Uggs around our house lately, The Farmer got the idea in his head to get me my very own, real Uggs for Christmas. He spilled the beans when we were getting ready to go to a football game in the cold a couple of weeks ago; he thought that maybe we could just swing by someplace and get some before the game. That didn't happen, but I am glad that I know what he is planning so that I can have some input into just which Uggs he gets -- The Farmer is a great guy, but sometimes he struggles in the gift-giving department.
So, there you have it: my boot obsession. I really could apply this obsession trend to pretty much anything that has to do with fashion -- clothes, makeup, shoes, bags, jewelry -- but we won't go there tonight. Suffice it to say that I need to do a better job of watching my pennies...but, like Scarlett, I will think of that tomorrow...
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
Trix
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Craze
Let's see a show of hands for those of you who are crazy about The Twilight Saga!My hand is definitely in the air.
I must admit that I didn't want to start the series when I read them about a year ago. It took some coaxing from Muffie to get me to start Twilight, but once I got into it, I got hooked. I walked around with my nose in a book for six days until I had read every last word of all four books. I think all of my little chillens forgot what my face looked like for those six days -- they had to talk to me through the cover of a book! I hate to admit it, but my life felt a little bit empty after finishing that last book -- I didn't want it to end.
Naturally I was beyond excited when Twilight came out as a movie.
And I have never been more disappointed by a movie in my life. (Really. I am not hard to please when it comes to movies. I love movies!)
It just did not live up to the book at all. I know that it is common for a movie to not live up to a book, but this one just stunk big time. I was so disappointed! As I watched the movie, I wondered to myself if I didn't like the movie because it just brought the whole vampire saga to life and made me realize that is was just so cheesy (I mean, really, vampires? How unbelievable can you get -- that is why I didn't want to read the books in the first place. I don't get into that stuff...) or if the movie was just that bad.
I am pretty sure that the movie was just that bad. It seems to be a general consensus among those I have talked to who loved the books.
So, although I have heard that New Moon is so much better than Twilight, I am approaching it with the realization that it is highly likely that this movie will also fail to be as good as the book.
That's right, I haven't seen it yet. And I am dying to!
Muffie and I are going to meet our friend, Hogie, in a couple of weeks at a city halfway between our homes where we will go to the spa, eat great meals, and watch New Moon. I cannot wait; I hope I can hold out that long! Muffie and I have talked about rereading all of the books (or at least the first two) to hold us over until we actually get to see the movie -- you know, because everyone else in America has already seen it.
Or, should I say, every other chick in America has seen it. The Farmer would not be caught dead at that movie.
How about you? Have you seen the movie? Did you love it? Will it be worth the wait?
Oh, and just FYI, I am totally on Team Edward.
Trixie
All I want for Christmas...
Peace on Earth? No. College Savings fully funded for Duck? No (well, yes, but not this year). The Barbour International Jacket. For years ACP has been saying that I NEED a Barbour jacket. I don't know how much anyone actually NEEDS a Barbour jacket. We don't live in England, we do live where it is sweltering hot most of the time, and I haven't found one that I am in love with...until now.
Which brings me to my next point to all of you reading this blog. I hope you don't make the same mistake I do and set your sights on a big Christmas present early. This year I was in Charlotte with my mother in law and I happened to see that one of my favorite jewelry stores was going out of business and everything is at least 10% off. This was the perfect storm: A deal and something new and sparkly sitting behind a nice glass counter waiting for me. Well, of course, I found something that I could not breathe without that Roberto Coin made ESPECIALLY for me. I called ACP and asked if he didn't want to think about Christmas this year, he said to pull the trigger and now it has been staring at me on his dresser for the past month. Sigh. Now given the choice between the new something sparkly and the Barbour International jacket I would still pick the new something sparkly, of course. However today it was chilly and the International would have been perfect en route to see New Moon.
Not to be depressing but the best part about Christmas presents is wondering what you are going to get and now I have sort of ruined it. Don't tell ACP because he would completely agree with me. Husbands do sometimes know best.
What do you want for Christmas just so I can get some new big ideas?
HoneyBun
Friday, November 20, 2009
Pack Rat
Today I have been completely distracted with my upcoming trip to NYC for our Thanksgiving celebration with Doc's family. We leave on Tuesday after work, so I have been mentally packing for the last half hour. Doc and I travel quite a bit, so I have become quite accustomed to packing for a three day weekend, but I become completely unravelled when it comes to packing for an extended stay in NYC. I find that NYC poses some packing challenges unlike any other city we visit. First, you walk so much when you're there, that you have to have at least one pair of comfy shoes (for me some flat boots). On top of that, we will spend our days shopping, going to shows, and have nice lunches, so i need outfits that are comfy, warm, and wearable, but that are also fashionable. Then you have to pack for your evening costume change so that you look just right for dinner and drinks. So many outfits, so little space.
Doc and I have made a promise that we will make every attempt to avoid checking bags. We have dinner reservations at Les Halles very late Tuesday night (10:45), and by not checking bags, even if we run a minute behind, we should still be able to hop in a cab and head to dinner. Plus, I just heard on the radio that a couple in Phoenix has been charged with stealing over 1,000 pieces of luggage from the Phoenix baggage claim. That is my BIGGEST fear about checking. I would just die if my luggage was lost or stolen. As a result, all of my outfits must fit nice and snug in a tiny little carry-on!
I have a trick or two to make packing a little better. I roll small items (tights, tanks, socks) and stuff them in my shoes. You'd be amazed how much space this saves. I also pre-plan an outfit itinerary for every day so that I only pack what I need and nothing extra. I try to stick to outfits that can all be paired with the same accessories so that I'm not packing multiple purses/shoes/etc. And I always wear my bulkiest outfit on the plane on both travel days, including my coat, scarf, and heavy boots.
PS - We have found that if you have a rolling bag and a purse, the airlines have not ever said anything to us about also carrying on a hanging bag. So I try to make all of my dinner outfits dresses and I hang them on one hanger so that I have even more room in the roller!
I am wondering, do you have any good packing tips?
Lola
Doc and I have made a promise that we will make every attempt to avoid checking bags. We have dinner reservations at Les Halles very late Tuesday night (10:45), and by not checking bags, even if we run a minute behind, we should still be able to hop in a cab and head to dinner. Plus, I just heard on the radio that a couple in Phoenix has been charged with stealing over 1,000 pieces of luggage from the Phoenix baggage claim. That is my BIGGEST fear about checking. I would just die if my luggage was lost or stolen. As a result, all of my outfits must fit nice and snug in a tiny little carry-on!
I have a trick or two to make packing a little better. I roll small items (tights, tanks, socks) and stuff them in my shoes. You'd be amazed how much space this saves. I also pre-plan an outfit itinerary for every day so that I only pack what I need and nothing extra. I try to stick to outfits that can all be paired with the same accessories so that I'm not packing multiple purses/shoes/etc. And I always wear my bulkiest outfit on the plane on both travel days, including my coat, scarf, and heavy boots.
PS - We have found that if you have a rolling bag and a purse, the airlines have not ever said anything to us about also carrying on a hanging bag. So I try to make all of my dinner outfits dresses and I hang them on one hanger so that I have even more room in the roller!
I am wondering, do you have any good packing tips?
Lola
I guess it's my turn now!
Muffie's Ten Things
1. What are some of your family traditions? When I was growing up, my favorite Christmas traditions included going to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church, waking up at the crack of dawn, impatiently waiting until my parents and grandparents had bathrobes on and coffee brewing before we were allowed to peek in the living room at our presents, and eating breakfast casserole and stollen after all the gifts have been opened. Hubby and I are continuing these traditions with our own children and I hope they will do the same with their families one day. Another tradition that we started last year and plan to continue is having a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve. We make a cake, have candles, and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus---it's a great way to talk about the true meaning of Christmas with young children who sometimes get too focused on the gift aspect of the holiday. :)
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? I know how a person is supposed to change a tire---all of the steps and I've watched it be done---but I've never personally changed a tire. Isn't that what boys are for? :)
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I love magazines, although I don't have nearly enough time to read them as I'd like. I subscribe to Parenting, Parents, Southern Living, and Real Simple. I don't subscribe to it, but I buy US Weekly pretty much every week. That would be a great Christmas present for me if anybody is trying to come up with ideas...hint, hint!! :) I guess I'd say that US Weekly is my favorite, but Real Simple comes in at a close second.
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? Oh my gosh, I have no clue! I'm not a very organized person, nor do I have an office, so I can't even come up with an answer for this one. I do have a really cute planner from Mom Agenda but I'm not very good at actually writing in it.
5. Are you a good public speaker? I don't know if I'm necessarily good at public speaking, but I like to speak in public! Speech was one of my favorite classes in both high school and college, but as a full time mommy I don't have many opportunities for public speaking unless you count shouting across a parking lot for one of the monkeys to stop running.
6. How do you feel about acronyms? LMBO! IDK, I'd probably say a BF yes to this one! My DH and BFFs have made fun of me for years for my overuse of acronyms. BTW, this question made me LOL. :)
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Not sure what the most creative thing is, but my creative side has been coming out more and more. I've started sewing and have made headbands, crayon rolls, burp cloths, my daughter's Halloween bag, and even a dress. I've made an art display for our playroom, tutus for my daughter and some friends, and most recently a fall wreath for our front door. Like Honeybun (still can't believe we're calling her that on this blog!), I've enjoyed creating my kiddos' nurseries as well. My newest baby's nursery might be my favorite, although it's still a work in progress.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than… have dental work done. For some odd reason, I have tremendous anxiety about going to the dentist even just to have my teeth cleaned. It's terrible. One of my best friends just happens to be my dentist, and she gave me the bad news earlier this week that I have a cavity and must get a filling next month. This will be my first filling in at least 15 years, and I feel sick even thinking about it. Luckily, she is such a good friend that she is going to prescribe me some nice drugs to help me get through it without having a panic attack!
9. What company has the best advertising? I'm a sap....I love the Publix commercials because they always make me cry!
10. When is your birthday? March 8th, greatest day of the year!
1. What are some of your family traditions? When I was growing up, my favorite Christmas traditions included going to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church, waking up at the crack of dawn, impatiently waiting until my parents and grandparents had bathrobes on and coffee brewing before we were allowed to peek in the living room at our presents, and eating breakfast casserole and stollen after all the gifts have been opened. Hubby and I are continuing these traditions with our own children and I hope they will do the same with their families one day. Another tradition that we started last year and plan to continue is having a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve. We make a cake, have candles, and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus---it's a great way to talk about the true meaning of Christmas with young children who sometimes get too focused on the gift aspect of the holiday. :)
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? I know how a person is supposed to change a tire---all of the steps and I've watched it be done---but I've never personally changed a tire. Isn't that what boys are for? :)
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I love magazines, although I don't have nearly enough time to read them as I'd like. I subscribe to Parenting, Parents, Southern Living, and Real Simple. I don't subscribe to it, but I buy US Weekly pretty much every week. That would be a great Christmas present for me if anybody is trying to come up with ideas...hint, hint!! :) I guess I'd say that US Weekly is my favorite, but Real Simple comes in at a close second.
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? Oh my gosh, I have no clue! I'm not a very organized person, nor do I have an office, so I can't even come up with an answer for this one. I do have a really cute planner from Mom Agenda but I'm not very good at actually writing in it.
5. Are you a good public speaker? I don't know if I'm necessarily good at public speaking, but I like to speak in public! Speech was one of my favorite classes in both high school and college, but as a full time mommy I don't have many opportunities for public speaking unless you count shouting across a parking lot for one of the monkeys to stop running.
6. How do you feel about acronyms? LMBO! IDK, I'd probably say a BF yes to this one! My DH and BFFs have made fun of me for years for my overuse of acronyms. BTW, this question made me LOL. :)
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Not sure what the most creative thing is, but my creative side has been coming out more and more. I've started sewing and have made headbands, crayon rolls, burp cloths, my daughter's Halloween bag, and even a dress. I've made an art display for our playroom, tutus for my daughter and some friends, and most recently a fall wreath for our front door. Like Honeybun (still can't believe we're calling her that on this blog!), I've enjoyed creating my kiddos' nurseries as well. My newest baby's nursery might be my favorite, although it's still a work in progress.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than… have dental work done. For some odd reason, I have tremendous anxiety about going to the dentist even just to have my teeth cleaned. It's terrible. One of my best friends just happens to be my dentist, and she gave me the bad news earlier this week that I have a cavity and must get a filling next month. This will be my first filling in at least 15 years, and I feel sick even thinking about it. Luckily, she is such a good friend that she is going to prescribe me some nice drugs to help me get through it without having a panic attack!
9. What company has the best advertising? I'm a sap....I love the Publix commercials because they always make me cry!
10. When is your birthday? March 8th, greatest day of the year!
Muffie :)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Ten Things about Honey Bun
My turn!
1. What are some of your family traditions? A few years ago my mom and her sisters found this Jingle Bell Rock Santa. He shakes his hips and plays Jingle Bell Rock and while this sounds very cheesy and red neck he is actually hilarious. After a few glasses of wine all the women in my family get up and dance with this Santa and all the men sit on the couch and roll their eyes. I love it! My favorite family tradition with ACP and Duck is getting up on Saturday mornings and having coffee.
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? No. Actually this is a funny story. It was my third week in our town, I only knew one person besides my husband and he was already at church. I was running late (typical) and I ran this very yellowish red light, bumped the curb, and slashed my tire. I made it to the Applebees parking lot and had to walk about two miles by myself in the sweltering heat and wait for ACP to get home several hours later. I should really learn how to change a tire.
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I love magazines. I am so sad that they are all going out of print. My favorites are House Beautiful and Nutrition Action. One of our friends recently introduced me to LonnyMag which is a great online publication.
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? There is nothing like pretending to get organized. I love staplers and paper clips. Can I count a great coffee mug in office supplies? I think it should count.
5. Are you a good public speaker? I'm not sure. In my profession I do have speaking engagements but I don't know if I am good or not.
6. How do you feel about acronyms? Well, in this case you should ask Muffie. LMBO.
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Duck's nursery.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than… call a customer service line and talk to someone in India who's name is Jennifer.
9. What company has the best advertising? The new Amex commercials with the smiles and frowns are clever. The e-trade baby ads are also very funny.
10. When is your birthday? February 4th!
Have a fabulous day,
1. What are some of your family traditions? A few years ago my mom and her sisters found this Jingle Bell Rock Santa. He shakes his hips and plays Jingle Bell Rock and while this sounds very cheesy and red neck he is actually hilarious. After a few glasses of wine all the women in my family get up and dance with this Santa and all the men sit on the couch and roll their eyes. I love it! My favorite family tradition with ACP and Duck is getting up on Saturday mornings and having coffee.
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? No. Actually this is a funny story. It was my third week in our town, I only knew one person besides my husband and he was already at church. I was running late (typical) and I ran this very yellowish red light, bumped the curb, and slashed my tire. I made it to the Applebees parking lot and had to walk about two miles by myself in the sweltering heat and wait for ACP to get home several hours later. I should really learn how to change a tire.
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I love magazines. I am so sad that they are all going out of print. My favorites are House Beautiful and Nutrition Action. One of our friends recently introduced me to LonnyMag which is a great online publication.
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? There is nothing like pretending to get organized. I love staplers and paper clips. Can I count a great coffee mug in office supplies? I think it should count.
5. Are you a good public speaker? I'm not sure. In my profession I do have speaking engagements but I don't know if I am good or not.
6. How do you feel about acronyms? Well, in this case you should ask Muffie. LMBO.
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Duck's nursery.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than… call a customer service line and talk to someone in India who's name is Jennifer.
9. What company has the best advertising? The new Amex commercials with the smiles and frowns are clever. The e-trade baby ads are also very funny.
10. When is your birthday? February 4th!
Have a fabulous day,
Trixie's Ten Things
1. What are some of your family traditions? Since it is getting close to Christmas (who else is already listening to Christmas music besides me?!?!), I will go with some Christmas traditions...Ever since I was little, we have gone to the family service at church on Christmas Eve. It is my favorite service of the year, aside from Easter. After church we always go to my aunt's house for dinner with the whole family, and on Christmas morning we always go to my grandmother's house for breakfast.
My parents used to torture us kids every Christmas morning by making us sit at the top of the stairs while they yelled out things like "Wow, it is a toyland down here!" or "Boy, Santa sure went all out this year!" We would be dying to get downstairs to tear into our gifts, but we weren't allowed down until Mama had her coffe, the tree was lit, and the Christmas music was playing. I am happy to say that The Farmer and I have kept that tradition with our kids!
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? Um, no. Right after The Farmer and I got married, I got a flat tire on the way home from my parents' house. At the time, The Farmer and I were living an hour-and-a-half away from my parents, and the flat tire ocurred about halfway home. First I tried to fix the tire myself, but I couldn't get the darn bolts loosened even a tiny bit. I tried to call The Farmer but couldn't get in touch with him, so I finally called my dad. I had to wait in this gas station/Subway shop for 45 minutes until he could get there. It was no fun. Seems like I would have learned after that, but I still haven't...
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I subscribe to Parents, Parenting, Southern Living, Coastal Living, and InStyle. I have also asked for subscriptions to a couple of home magazines for Christmas. My faves are InStyle (I have been subscribing to that one since college) and Southern Living.
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? Oh, boy, do I love office supplies! My favorites have to be planners (do those count?), pens (I am always searching for the best ones -- I love the Sharpie pens), and highlighters in pretty colors.
5. Are you a good public speaker? Hell no. I am shy, shy, shy. And, I have the unfortunate ability to turn beet red if all eyes are fixed on me. Yuck.
6. How do you feel about acronyms? Just fine, FYI.
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Creativity and I don't really belong in the same sentence. However, Muffie, my sister, and I hosted a baby shower for my sister-in-law a week ago, and I think we were pretty creative in that. And, I shamelessly copied Muffie and made myself a fall wreath like she did. But coming up with something creative on my own? Not gonna happen, folks.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than…speak in public, lose to my alma mater's rivals, change clothes in front of other girls (or boys, really)...I could go on.
9. What company has the best advertising? Like Lola, I like Bud Light commercials -- and, hey, I just like Bud Light. I also think Mac has some good ones. For the most part, I try to avoid advertisements.
10. When is your birthday? May 31. I used to really like this birthday until I met The Farmer, and he told me that I was born at a really inconvenient time of the year (he is really busy with harvest season then). I pretty much never see him on my birthday. Luckily I have good girlfriends who make up for The Farmer's absence!
Okay, Muffie and HoneyBun (I can't believe we are calling her that...), it is your turn!
Trixie
My parents used to torture us kids every Christmas morning by making us sit at the top of the stairs while they yelled out things like "Wow, it is a toyland down here!" or "Boy, Santa sure went all out this year!" We would be dying to get downstairs to tear into our gifts, but we weren't allowed down until Mama had her coffe, the tree was lit, and the Christmas music was playing. I am happy to say that The Farmer and I have kept that tradition with our kids!
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? Um, no. Right after The Farmer and I got married, I got a flat tire on the way home from my parents' house. At the time, The Farmer and I were living an hour-and-a-half away from my parents, and the flat tire ocurred about halfway home. First I tried to fix the tire myself, but I couldn't get the darn bolts loosened even a tiny bit. I tried to call The Farmer but couldn't get in touch with him, so I finally called my dad. I had to wait in this gas station/Subway shop for 45 minutes until he could get there. It was no fun. Seems like I would have learned after that, but I still haven't...
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I subscribe to Parents, Parenting, Southern Living, Coastal Living, and InStyle. I have also asked for subscriptions to a couple of home magazines for Christmas. My faves are InStyle (I have been subscribing to that one since college) and Southern Living.
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? Oh, boy, do I love office supplies! My favorites have to be planners (do those count?), pens (I am always searching for the best ones -- I love the Sharpie pens), and highlighters in pretty colors.
5. Are you a good public speaker? Hell no. I am shy, shy, shy. And, I have the unfortunate ability to turn beet red if all eyes are fixed on me. Yuck.
6. How do you feel about acronyms? Just fine, FYI.
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Creativity and I don't really belong in the same sentence. However, Muffie, my sister, and I hosted a baby shower for my sister-in-law a week ago, and I think we were pretty creative in that. And, I shamelessly copied Muffie and made myself a fall wreath like she did. But coming up with something creative on my own? Not gonna happen, folks.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than…speak in public, lose to my alma mater's rivals, change clothes in front of other girls (or boys, really)...I could go on.
9. What company has the best advertising? Like Lola, I like Bud Light commercials -- and, hey, I just like Bud Light. I also think Mac has some good ones. For the most part, I try to avoid advertisements.
10. When is your birthday? May 31. I used to really like this birthday until I met The Farmer, and he told me that I was born at a really inconvenient time of the year (he is really busy with harvest season then). I pretty much never see him on my birthday. Luckily I have good girlfriends who make up for The Farmer's absence!
Okay, Muffie and HoneyBun (I can't believe we are calling her that...), it is your turn!
Trixie
Ten Things on Thursday
I love these little Q&A posts, and I thought it'd be fun for yall to comment with your answers!!
1. What are some of your family traditions? My family has a tradition for just about everything, but my favorite would have to be Christmas Eve. Every year after all of our family parties have ended, my family has dinner at The Steak Knife. And just before we go to bed, my dad reads The Polar Express to us. We have been doing this for as long as I can remember, even after Doc and I got married. I can't wait for the day when we all have kids and my dad is reading it to them. As for Doc and me, we stay at the Le Pavillon Hotel every year for one night around the weekend of our wedding anniversary to celebrate our special day and the special place where we had our reception. It was spectacular!
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? Hmmm... Once at a slumber party in high school after we had stayed up all night I helped three girls change our friend Katie's flat tire. I've never done it since, so I don't know if I could.
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I sure do! I love getting magazines in the mail!! I am a People, Everyday Food, Southern Living, and In Style subscriber. In Style is my fave!
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? Oh my goodness, is there anything better in the whole world than the supply closet at work? I love how neat and organized everything is, and it reminds of going to work with my mom when I was little. She would let us play with colored white out - fun! My faves would be, Bic No. 5 clicky pencils, thin tipped Sharpies in every color, and colored 3M tabs.
5. Are you a good public speaker? I absolutely love public speaking. I always have. I find it exciting and exhilirating. I have always dreamed of being a speech writer, but let's be honest, I'd want to grab that speech right out of the reader's hand and say "Here, just let me give it."
6. How do you feel about acronyms? Considering I worked for KPMG for a while, and it in and of itself is an acronym, I got really attached to them. There was one for everything!! And now being married into the military, our use of acronyms has doubled. I think acronyms are great if you know what they mean, but when you don't, it makes you feel like an outsider.
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Aside from making fabulously glittery shoes for the Mardi Gras parade I ride in, for our first engagement anniversary I created a puzzle for Doc and sent him around NOLA to find various gifts at different stops across town. At each location he found another puzzle piece attached to a wrapped gift with a rhyme that led him to his next gift. His last stop was a table at Commanders Palace where we had brunch for our anniversary.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than… be at an away game when the Saints lose. It is so painful to hear all of the smack talk that 65,000 fans will spout out to you.
9. What company has the best advertising? I like Bud Light's advertsising because it is clever and funny and doesn't exploit women (remember the Miller Lite "twins").
10. When is your birthday? November 2nd. It just passed and is on All Souls Day. Growing up, I always thought I special because it fell on a "holiday." I didn't realize that was just a Catholic thing until college! This year I have decided, I will be celebrating my birth year not my birth day. I plan to enjoy every last minute in my 20s.
Have a fabulous day,
Lola
1. What are some of your family traditions? My family has a tradition for just about everything, but my favorite would have to be Christmas Eve. Every year after all of our family parties have ended, my family has dinner at The Steak Knife. And just before we go to bed, my dad reads The Polar Express to us. We have been doing this for as long as I can remember, even after Doc and I got married. I can't wait for the day when we all have kids and my dad is reading it to them. As for Doc and me, we stay at the Le Pavillon Hotel every year for one night around the weekend of our wedding anniversary to celebrate our special day and the special place where we had our reception. It was spectacular!
2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? Hmmm... Once at a slumber party in high school after we had stayed up all night I helped three girls change our friend Katie's flat tire. I've never done it since, so I don't know if I could.
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines? What are your favorites? I sure do! I love getting magazines in the mail!! I am a People, Everyday Food, Southern Living, and In Style subscriber. In Style is my fave!
4. What are your top three favorite office supply items? Oh my goodness, is there anything better in the whole world than the supply closet at work? I love how neat and organized everything is, and it reminds of going to work with my mom when I was little. She would let us play with colored white out - fun! My faves would be, Bic No. 5 clicky pencils, thin tipped Sharpies in every color, and colored 3M tabs.
5. Are you a good public speaker? I absolutely love public speaking. I always have. I find it exciting and exhilirating. I have always dreamed of being a speech writer, but let's be honest, I'd want to grab that speech right out of the reader's hand and say "Here, just let me give it."
6. How do you feel about acronyms? Considering I worked for KPMG for a while, and it in and of itself is an acronym, I got really attached to them. There was one for everything!! And now being married into the military, our use of acronyms has doubled. I think acronyms are great if you know what they mean, but when you don't, it makes you feel like an outsider.
7. What’s the most creative things you’ve ever done? Aside from making fabulously glittery shoes for the Mardi Gras parade I ride in, for our first engagement anniversary I created a puzzle for Doc and sent him around NOLA to find various gifts at different stops across town. At each location he found another puzzle piece attached to a wrapped gift with a rhyme that led him to his next gift. His last stop was a table at Commanders Palace where we had brunch for our anniversary.
8. I’d rather jam a pen in my eye than… be at an away game when the Saints lose. It is so painful to hear all of the smack talk that 65,000 fans will spout out to you.
9. What company has the best advertising? I like Bud Light's advertsising because it is clever and funny and doesn't exploit women (remember the Miller Lite "twins").
10. When is your birthday? November 2nd. It just passed and is on All Souls Day. Growing up, I always thought I special because it fell on a "holiday." I didn't realize that was just a Catholic thing until college! This year I have decided, I will be celebrating my birth year not my birth day. I plan to enjoy every last minute in my 20s.
Have a fabulous day,
Lola
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A dilemma for Honeybun
Hello! I am Honeybun. This is the name I aspire to use when I am a grandmother (in hopefully no less than 25 years). I have a seven month old daughter, Duck(a nickname that we stole from Lola & Doc), and she needs to have some brothers and sisters before we start thinking about all of that!
Here is my dilemma. My husband, ACP, loves to cook (praise the Lord), but is a little bit of a monster in the kitchen. We have very nice dishes but they are chipped and cracked. I'm completely type A and I can't look at cracked dishes anymore. My new vision is "french cafe" something hearty and white that won't break easily but still looks nice.
I found this set at Crate & Barrel and it received fabulous reviews. People said they had the set for 20 years without a break! I thought it was perfect. We bought the set, it arrived today, and I hate it. That is the downfall of online shopping but what do you do when the nearest C&B is hundreds of miles away? You take a chance. Well, I'm at a loss. If anyone out there has some good suggestions as an alternative please send them my way!
I found this other set at Target but it just isn't quite as substantial as I would like. Do you think I should sit with the current set I have and maybe it will grow on me or do you have better ideas?
Love,
Honeybun
Here is my dilemma. My husband, ACP, loves to cook (praise the Lord), but is a little bit of a monster in the kitchen. We have very nice dishes but they are chipped and cracked. I'm completely type A and I can't look at cracked dishes anymore. My new vision is "french cafe" something hearty and white that won't break easily but still looks nice.
I found this set at Crate & Barrel and it received fabulous reviews. People said they had the set for 20 years without a break! I thought it was perfect. We bought the set, it arrived today, and I hate it. That is the downfall of online shopping but what do you do when the nearest C&B is hundreds of miles away? You take a chance. Well, I'm at a loss. If anyone out there has some good suggestions as an alternative please send them my way!
I found this other set at Target but it just isn't quite as substantial as I would like. Do you think I should sit with the current set I have and maybe it will grow on me or do you have better ideas?
Love,
Honeybun
Leftie's name change
Hello again! I didn't actually introduce myself yesterday, so I will follow Trixie and take a minute to do that today. I am going to change my blogging name from Leftie to Lola! It was Trixie's idea, and I love it. Lola from Nola! As you might have figured out, I am of course the only leftie in our group, a position I take seriously, but hope not to be defined by. My hubby, we'll call him Doc, and I have been living in the same town as the three lefts for over three years now and we love it here. Doc is an OBGYN and loves delivering little ones. As Trixie mentioned, we don't actually have any of those yet, but we do have two dogs - Annie and Beignet. Annie is almost 16 and Beignet is newly adopted and we think 5 months. I am a fan of all things fashion, particularly shoes and purses because they always fit and never give you muffin top. I am an avid sports fan who will stay up until midnight to watch MNF or a Hornets game and who listens to NFL radio all day at work. I am a Saints season ticket holder who flies to at least half of our games (six this season) and already has flights booked for home playoff games - please football gods don't let this curse our magical season!! And most importantly, I am a New Orleanian. It defines how I live and how I love. It it not where I am from, it is who I am. I hope you enjoy our unique perspectives on things, and I hope you bare with my bleeding heart!!
Lola
Lola
A few of my favorite things....
I thought I'd begin with a little post about a few of my current favorite things. Aside from these three monkeys who occupy pretty much every second of my life, of course...
...my new obsession is this amazing bathroom cleaner. Our countertops and shower walls are white tile and white (or previously white) grout, and are incredibly hard to keep clean. I love trying new products so I probably have been through at least ten different bathroom cleaners in the 18 months that we've lived in this house. A few days ago I finally found a cleaner that not only works, it works really well, AND there is no scrubbing involved. Seriously. I sprayed it on the walls in the shower, let it sit for 15 minutes, rinsed, and what was once pink/brown/black...hiding in shame admitting this (gross, I know, but keep in mind we live in a very humid climate and there's not much you can do to prevent the growth of mildew around here) is now WHITE. Love, love, love this stuff!
I found Glowology "The Balm" (by Noodle and Boo, if any of you are familiar with their baby products) a few weeks ago and it quickly became a favorite. I have a slight addiction to hand lotion and this is one of the best I've ever used. It smells divine---just like the beach---and does a great job at keeping my hands moisturized. I keep it in the drawer by my kitchen sink and use it about 4,000 times a day.
I read about the HoMedics SoundSpa Lullaby on one of my favorite blogs, Urban Grace Interiors, and ordered one that day because one of my monkeys' sound machines had quit working and we just happened to need a new one ASAP. We have three young children and hardwood floors throughout our house (very attractive but they don't do much to muffle the pitter patter of little feet and/or screams and other noises that my monkeys tend to make when siblings are napping), so we're huge fans of sound machines. I put the SoundSpa in my 4-month-old's nursery and can't say enough good things about it. It plays several different sounds ("rain" is our favorite) along with three lullabies, and also has a rotating projector that projects images onto the ceiling or wall for the baby to watch as he/she falls asleep. I really like the way the volume is much higher than other sound machines we've used. I do have to say that the rotator is a bit finicky and has to be messed with sometimes to start, but from the reviews I've read online, HoMedics is good about sending a replacement if you contact them regarding any issues. I'm considering doing this but I don't want to go even a day without it!
Now this has been a favorite of mine for years: Lancome Definicils mascara. Unfortunately, I was not blessed in the eyelashes department, but Definicils makes up for the lack of thickness and length. This stuff is AMAZING!!!! Absolutely worth the higher price tag, and I pray that they never stop making it because I have no clue what I would do without it!
Lastly, the Hot Apple Cider candle by Beanpod Candles is a big favorite of mine this time of year. It makes your house smell just like hot apple cider, even hours after you've blown it out. It burns for a really long time too, and is made from soy so it's not bad for the environment either! Love it.
Muffie :)
No Aha! Just Blah-blah...
Hi!
I just wanted to take a minute to stop in and introduce myself. I'm going to be known around here as Trixie. No, that is not my real name; however, it is a nickname that I wound up with at a Christmas party a couple of years ago that seems to have stuck around. So, in an attempt at anonymity, Trixie it is!
I would also like to introduce you to my family. I am married to The Farmer (coincidentally, my father is also a farmer, as is The Farmer's father, my brother, and our brother-in-law; it is obviously in the genes.), and we have three beautiful, wonderful (most of the time) children: Miss Priss (6), Sassy (4), and Bubba (2 -- after all, we are from The South!). I can't wait to tell you more about all of us later on!
I am really excited about this new blog. As our profile states, the four of us are friends who all have our own personal blogs. But, we thought that it would be fun to all combine our blogging talents (and I use that term very loosely) to see what we come up with. After all, we are all good friends, but we do have our own different styles and tastes. For instance, our 1 left (who posted yesterday -- I am not 100% sure on all of our nicknames yet) and I are probably the farthest apart politically (I feel safe saying that I am the rightest of the rights), but we probably are the two who are the most into fashion. Leftie is also the only one of us who isn't a mommy yet; two of us moms work, while the third is a stay-at-home mom. As you can see, we are not all cookie-cutter copies of the same person, so it will be interesting to see what we get!
Anyway, I have a lot of work that I should be doing now, so I am going to sign off for today. Thanks for reading -- hopefully we will entertain you!
Trixie
I just wanted to take a minute to stop in and introduce myself. I'm going to be known around here as Trixie. No, that is not my real name; however, it is a nickname that I wound up with at a Christmas party a couple of years ago that seems to have stuck around. So, in an attempt at anonymity, Trixie it is!
I would also like to introduce you to my family. I am married to The Farmer (coincidentally, my father is also a farmer, as is The Farmer's father, my brother, and our brother-in-law; it is obviously in the genes.), and we have three beautiful, wonderful (most of the time) children: Miss Priss (6), Sassy (4), and Bubba (2 -- after all, we are from The South!). I can't wait to tell you more about all of us later on!
I am really excited about this new blog. As our profile states, the four of us are friends who all have our own personal blogs. But, we thought that it would be fun to all combine our blogging talents (and I use that term very loosely) to see what we come up with. After all, we are all good friends, but we do have our own different styles and tastes. For instance, our 1 left (who posted yesterday -- I am not 100% sure on all of our nicknames yet) and I are probably the farthest apart politically (I feel safe saying that I am the rightest of the rights), but we probably are the two who are the most into fashion. Leftie is also the only one of us who isn't a mommy yet; two of us moms work, while the third is a stay-at-home mom. As you can see, we are not all cookie-cutter copies of the same person, so it will be interesting to see what we get!
Anyway, I have a lot of work that I should be doing now, so I am going to sign off for today. Thanks for reading -- hopefully we will entertain you!
Trixie
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Aha Moments!
Well hello world! I am the "left" in our little foursome. I have been trying to think about a good topic for today, and while there are some doozies out there right now (Going Rogue, anyone??), I thought it be fun to open with something upbeat and hopeful.
I was getting my hair done recently, and the only magazine available at the chair where I was seated was O. I am not the biggest Oprah fan, but I thought I'd glance over a few articles. I came to one with Juliana Marguiles in which she described her "aha moment." She was writing about one night when her infant was crying inconsolably and she says "I worked myself into a complete state of anxiety about how I wasn't going to get enough sleep, how I was going to be late for work, how I'd be tired when I got there…all of which only made things worse. And just then, I heard my mother's voice in my head saying what she'd always told me: "Honey, this is only a moment; it's not the rest of your life."
I have been unable to get that phrase out of my head lately. It was as though in describing her "aha moment," I had mine. I have always found difficulty in challenging myself to start a task at which I think I will not succeed. I have always envied people who were able to jog and run at will. Recently, I start working out with a personal trainer and he challenged me to jog for 5 minute increments six times with two minute walking breaks in between. I had convinced myself that it was simply impossible for me to do this - I have bad knees, my toes fall asleep in my tennis shoes, I work late today and it gets dark before I can run. I would find any and every excuse not to even try to accomplish this goal. Until Sunday. On Sunday, hubby and I decided he would help me keep pace and at least make an attempt at my trainer's request. It was not easy, but each time I started to give up I repeated "this is only a moment; it's not the rest of my life." And what do you know, I did it! I feel like I can accomplish anything now. It was amazing and exhilarating and so rewarding to push myself beyond what I perceived were my capabilities. Aha!
So I am wondering - have you had an "Aha moment?" And does my new favorite mantra have any meaning to you? Do you think you'll find yourself thinking of it?
LEFTIE
I was getting my hair done recently, and the only magazine available at the chair where I was seated was O. I am not the biggest Oprah fan, but I thought I'd glance over a few articles. I came to one with Juliana Marguiles in which she described her "aha moment." She was writing about one night when her infant was crying inconsolably and she says "I worked myself into a complete state of anxiety about how I wasn't going to get enough sleep, how I was going to be late for work, how I'd be tired when I got there…all of which only made things worse. And just then, I heard my mother's voice in my head saying what she'd always told me: "Honey, this is only a moment; it's not the rest of your life."
I have been unable to get that phrase out of my head lately. It was as though in describing her "aha moment," I had mine. I have always found difficulty in challenging myself to start a task at which I think I will not succeed. I have always envied people who were able to jog and run at will. Recently, I start working out with a personal trainer and he challenged me to jog for 5 minute increments six times with two minute walking breaks in between. I had convinced myself that it was simply impossible for me to do this - I have bad knees, my toes fall asleep in my tennis shoes, I work late today and it gets dark before I can run. I would find any and every excuse not to even try to accomplish this goal. Until Sunday. On Sunday, hubby and I decided he would help me keep pace and at least make an attempt at my trainer's request. It was not easy, but each time I started to give up I repeated "this is only a moment; it's not the rest of my life." And what do you know, I did it! I feel like I can accomplish anything now. It was amazing and exhilarating and so rewarding to push myself beyond what I perceived were my capabilities. Aha!
So I am wondering - have you had an "Aha moment?" And does my new favorite mantra have any meaning to you? Do you think you'll find yourself thinking of it?
LEFTIE
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