Stream of Thought

For about .02 seconds I thought oh my goodness I'm totally on top of my Christmas game. Then I remembered that I have not yet purchased the gifts for friends who I usually exchange gifts with. That list has condensed now to just Patrice, Margs and Nicole but regardless I still have 3 more gifts left.

Patrice and Margs are easy, they are out of town, hence they will receive from two of my favorites and theirs, Margs will get an Amazon e gift card and Patrice one from Vic Secret. They don't read this, so I'm no worried about them finding out what their gifts will be.

Nicole is receiving a Marshalls gift card and I'm done. I know that some consider gift cards impersonal; I consider them a delightful way to bestow upon someone the opportunity to splurge on themselves!

I will say that I am much better prepared for Audra's birthday this year. I think this is the first year that I already have her presents purchased and much of her party already planned. That said, last week in Boone she informs me she wants a mermaid party.

I know that this request stems from the party that her friend L had that was a Little Mermaid theme party. I told Audra that no she is going to have a princess party and she is going to have so much fun with her friends. She is 4 turning 5 and already wanting to do what her friends do, that concerns me just a little bit. She was gung ho for her princess party up until the mermaid party and then suddenly she changes her mind, what???

I know that her party is going to be great and her friends will have fun and this will all be a memory, it just surprised me that this came up.

In other Audra news she has officially moved up a shoe size. I had a huge bag of size 11 shoes that I gave away at the beginning of fall. Her mom mentioned a few weeks ago that they had measured her foot and she had measured a 12 1/2. Last week she put her foot on a carpet measure and measured for a 13… So I have some shoes that have been worn once, some only a handful of times, and I am trying to determine if I am going to give them away, or sell them to the consignment store.

Fortunately I didn't buy a crazy amount of shoes. I had one pair that still had the tag, and I still had the receipt and I was able to take it back and get full store credit, no refund since it was past 30 days but I'm good with store credit. Decent kid shoes are expensive and my favorite go-to for stride rite was piperlime and they are no longer going to sell kid's shoes, which makes me very sad! I'll be checking out zappos and amazon for sure!

This week I made it to Abs and Booty on Monday, out for a run with Jack on Tuesday and to Shake and Tone on Wednesday. Last night was the women's event at church and tonight I'm planning to take Audra to see a play at her school. Tomorrow morning I'm trying for a long run. I'm a little apprehensive since I didn't do a long run last weekend but I will just see how I do and not put any expectations on myself.

I will be going to the gym for my run since they are calling for rain all weekend.

Happy Friday!!!

reflection, restraint, and appreciation

For the most part this week I've been doing really well. Wednesday night I cleaned the office. I got home and Mr. Clean had dinner ready. It was so good! He made blueberry bbq sauce covered ribs, potato wedges and cole slaw.

The bbq sauce was awesome!! I told him that he can try whatever recipe he wants to and I will not turn my nose up at it. He consistently makes really awesome meals!!! I don't really like blueberries (I know I'm weird I do like blueberry muffins and bagels) but I knew that if he fixed it it would be good!!

He was so tired he fell asleep on the couch after we ate while I was cleaning up the kitchen. I was able to get so much done while he slept!!

Yesterday I stopped for dinner on my way home. I got home and ate. Dad Clean came over to help us take our old couch over to my sister in laws house. I vacuumed and cleaned the bathroom then I took Jack for a walk and sprints. It was so hot I knew he didn't need to run 3 miles. Instead we walked and I would let him sprint. It was effective in wearing him out and getting my heart rate up!

My mom's group of coworkers attended the service on Tuesday morning. My mom went back to work yesterday and one of her coworkers said "I don't mean to offend you but that was the most joyful funeral I've ever been to." It truly was such a celebration of my Grandmommy. We know that we will see her again so while we do miss her overall we celebrate that she is in heaven.

Saying that; today I realized that it's going to hit me at unexpected times. I went to Belks to pick up a birthday present for our niece. I was walking in the door and a lady was coming out and she was dressed just like my Grandmommy and I lost my breath and I teared up. I took deep breaths walking through the store and a little retail therapy helped, even though it wasn't stuff for me.

I was very good about not giving in to temptation Belks has some AWESOME maxi dresses and I could have EASILY walked out with several. I was good I was very very good!!!

I bought a makeup set and Girl Clean is going to give her some nail polishes. I figure for a 13 year old these would be fun and she can play with different colors. I made a quick trip over to Hallmark to pick up a card for Girl Clean to give her cousin and some gift bags. Walking back to Belk to leave a Grandmother and her 7-8ish year old Granddaughter were in front of me. Of course I teared up all over again. I wanted to tell the granddaughter how lucky she is and how special this time is and to treasure these memories.

My Grandmommy LOVED Belks!!! I found out at her service Tuesday one of my distant cousins works for Belks in the e-commerce department and I told her Mom that is just all the more reason for me to shop there!!!

I have my moments where I am reminded that I said goodbye. I'm thankful that I have had 8 months in Al-Anon. I've learned how to feel and not shove things under the rug. I've learned so much and I'm so thankful!

I'm resisting the temptation of going back to Belk to stock up on some dresses!!!! I truly am set for clothes, I can NOT justify buying more!!! However if an occasion comes up, or the sale goes to even more of a discount I might just have to go back and investigate!!!

Happy Friday!!!!

Shoe Love

Via

These are the shoes that complete today's look. I love them, they go with so many outfits and believe it or not they are actually comfortable!!

Fashion Friday

Picture from Old Navy. I never got a chance to go take pictures in the bathroom at work today. Here is the dress that I got on clearance yesterday for $17. LOVE it!!!

Shoe Love

Belks is having a sale. I got both images from the website. When I tried to take pictures of my feet, my legs look fat. I took my lunch at 11:05 to avoid having to deal with too many other lunch time shoppers. I purchased both pairs.

The colors this season are bright and I already have several cute dresses and tops that will go with the colors in the top pair. The 2nd pair, I changed into and I'm currently wearing. 

Restraint

I decided that shopping would make me feel better so yesterday on my lunch hour I ventured out. I chose Blakeney, which is a fabulous collection of Marshalls Home Goods, Target, Old Navy, NY&Co, Talbots, Black House White Market, the grocery store, and the list goes on!!!

I was oh so tempted. There were several dresses at NY&Co that I wanted to take home with me. There were also several at Old Navy. Yet... I resisted. I could have easily purchased them. Then I would have felt stressed and overwhelmed later because the credit card bill would arrive and it would be more instead of less.

I'm slowly working my way to spending less then what I make. I say slowly because from the outside looking in it doesn't look like progress is being made. I still have days when I will see something that is just too good to pass up, hello Belks 50% off the lowest marked price sale, but I am doing so much better. I think it's because I understand that for now I don't HAVE to have it. I really want it. But I have enough that I don't immediately need anything new.

I'm *trying* to be responsible... Some days I am better at it then others!!!

Shopping

I've mentioned a few times how fabulously convenient the location of my office is. Yesterday I ran down to Blakeney where there is a fantastic Marshall's Home Goods store. I ran in and found 4 adorable little dresses for Girl Clean. I will keep 1 and return the other 3. They are for Easter, and they were all just gorgeous!!! The deal is my husband is picky and I figure of those 4 he will like 1.

Today I ran to Belks, I needed mascara. Of course I got sidetracked by the big sale. 50% off the lowest marked price, OH YES PLEASE!!! 3 dresses, for me, and one black sweater, for me, later I made it to the counter to purchase my mascara. The grand total for 3 dresses (1 of which is calvin klein) and a black sweater, $53!!!!!! I'm pretty much on cloud 9 and my whole Friday has been made!!!!

The other wonderful thing I saw, wedges. Spring shoes have lots and lots of wedges!!!! I love wedges because they give me height but they don't hurt my knees!!!

Shopping

Found Here

Found Here

It's no secret that I love to shop, and I love a good deal. Last Friday I went in search of shoes but I also found some cute little tops and the dress seen above. I kept everything within my range limit for what I'll spend on kids clothing and shoes and purchased some great deals!!!

I have done a good job of not going overboard when it comes to clothes and shoes for the Girl. I want to know that she has what she needs but I also don't want her to have so much that clothes never get worn. The consignment store that I shop at has such fantastic deals and clothes that I can purchase, for a fraction of the cost, whole outfits. Stores like Old Navy have such great clearance sales that it makes it possible to keep her stocked without breaking the bank!

email, pet peeves, shopping, communicating

It's Friday and this has been a crazy busy week at the full time job!!! My work email has been above 35 all week which is unusual for me. Today it is back in the 25 range, much more typical!!! I did get all rushes and renewals done, that was the important part!

I work tonight and I have a feeling it will be crazy at the restaurant as well.

I try to remember that I have to be nice to people, and that they have a right to like the table that they sit at. However, one of my BIGGEST pet peeves of restaurant hostessing, are the guests who pick the table. I work a rotation, I have servers breathing down my neck for tables. Servers have sections. Sometimes I might be trying to give you the better server. For me personally give me a better server over a better table any day of the week!

Last night Mr. Clean and I ventured out for Christmas shopping. I got home around 5 and worked with Jack on sitting, staying and laying down while Mr. Clean went to the bank. Then he got home and we were off. We started at Hobby Lobby and got our niece a scrapbook. Then we went to Kohls and picked up the rest of his sisters and his Grandmothers. Yesterday at lunch I found my mom's. Meaning Christmas presents are all purchased!!! I also stayed within my given range for gifts, GO ME!

I really love Mama Clean a lot! We're trying to figure out how to convince her to start a college fund and take the money that would be spent on things like 2 un-needed Christmas dresses = $50 and put it towards college!!! Not my place, so working with my husband on how to do this tactfully without his usual direct method that unintentionally hurts feelings. Example when he saw the dresses yesterday and stated that I already had outfits and he was told she could wear more then one his response was this is not the Emmy awards she does not need 4 outfits for one day. To me this response was funny, but had I been in Mama Cleans position it most likely would have hurt my feelings.

I can honestly say that because of me he has realized that he needs to soften his statements in order to be heard. I've explained that often times if he wants me to hear what he's saying, or wants girl clean to hear what he's saying, he needs to modify tone and how it is said in order to achieve communicating his message effectively. I told him that yes truth should be spoken but truth needs to be spoken in love when it comes to family and friends.

The trainer comes back on Sunday evening. I'm super thrilled to learn more. Jack is really intelligent and definitely does better when he's being challenged. I've been loving the progress and I know there is still a lot that Mr. Clean and I have to learn in order to help Jack. It's going so well, and this makes me oh so happy!!!

Happy Friday!!!

afternoon drive, evening workout, storms and shopping

Any tips on how to get around the afternoon drive sleepiness? I think this week is tough just because it's my one week out of a month when I feel extra tired and extra emotional, all things are either that much more wonderful or that much more frustrating and my usual tired, is magnified. Yesterday driving home I blasted the AC and turned the radio up and I'm sure I looked pretty fun sitting straight up in my seat... I normally have a little more energy then what I currently have. I know that after this week I will be back to normal.



Dinner last night was a homemade basil garlic chicken pasta that was amazing!!!! It was waiting for me when I walked through the door and smelled amazing!!!! Because it was already ready I was able to eat before the gym. I usually cramp if I try to work out too soon after eating. I got to the gym at 7:45, and I had no energy. I did legs/arms and then the elliptical for a mile. Then I did skater squats lunges and a dumbbell exercises with my arms. By this time it was 8:10 , so despite my longing looks towards the door I dragged myself to the treadmill and forced out a mile. Then I was totally done.

I was home and it was almost time for bed when we had a storm come up. The wind kicked up and I'm not sure if it was just wind or what but it went across our front porch carrying off our chairs and table and everything that was on the table. Goodbye cute orange citronella lanterns. The table was a little plastic porch table, and it was carried all the way down the driveway, craziness!!! So glad that I had parked where I did, the spot where I had parked earlier in the afternoon had part of a tree that fell, this might have caused significant damage to my little car!!!

This morning I needed to stop by the grocery store because I had no bananas. I decided that I wanted to try Greek yogurt. Another thing I've heard a lot about but I just haven't tried. I guess this is a week for new things! I got Dannon, which I tried this morning. To me it tasted like normal yogurt, very smooth and creamy and I liked it. I also purchased Stoneyfield and Chobani, all vanilla flavored. I go through phases with yogurt and cottage cheese where I'll eat it for a week and then not want any for a while. I hear the Greek yogurt leaves you feeling fuller longer and I definitely need that!

It's a bad idea to try and shop early in the morning when you're hungry. I also purchased Almond Milk, it's so ridiculously expensive but OH SO GOOD!!!!! I justified it because it was on sale. I purchased no candy, at all. I contemplated but walked away! I know that if I can curb the sugar cravings for this week then I will have no excuse for all the other weeks!!!

Lunchtime Shopping

I had the best of intentions to run into the mall to grab a card for my friend who I am having lunch with on Sunday for her birthday. Except I went in through Belks, and I went into the section that is women's clothing...

Earlier this summer when things in my life were pretty awful and miserable I wrote about being at Kohls seeing the shoes and thinking why bother. I'm happy to say that those feelings are completely in the past. I walked into Belk and OH MY WORD THE COLORS, THE FABRICS, THE SALE SIGNS!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow will kick off the weekend sale that is 50% off the clearance price, so if it's 23.99 that means that it's 50% off of that. I got excited walking through all the beautiful clothes. I had that increased heartbeat and feeling of euphoria that always happens when I see so much fabulous clothing in one place!!!!!

I love a deal, and I had a blast last Saturday shopping with Lisa!!!! Today reminded me of why I must get a grip on the eating, because I LOVE clothes and I like being a certain size and if I keep raking in food I'm not going to fit the clothes that I want to wear.

They seriously have some of the most beautiful clothes I've seen in ages for the fall season!!!! I've walked through some years and been completely disappointed by the selection and options. Go figure now that I could buy out the whole store I have limited space and I have to make sure that everything fits into my closet.

Found here

Found here

Found here

There are literally 100's of dresses right now and they are gorgeous!!!!

Jean Love

All jeans found at Piperlime.com. I think that if/when I lose down a few more pounds I will reward myself with a new pair of jeans. The catch to ordering online is you have to make sure the company has a decent return policy. Piperlime has FREE SHIPPING AND RETURNS!!!! This is AWESOME!!!! I've ordered a few things and they worked so I did not have to send them back but I appreciated knowing that if I needed to return them it would not cost me an arm and a leg!!!



Shoe Love

Remember in SATC when Carrie is planning her last night on the town with Big and she sees the shoes in the window and her reaction? I think I found the shoes for my dress and while the are not Louboutins they are exactly what I had in my head!!!!!!

HELLO LOVER!!!!!

These beauties are found here. I purchased mine from Off Broadway which is a shoe place that I love!!!! Mine are not the same brand but this is pretty much exactly what they look like.

I have will power I do I do....

I get emails from Zulily, they have some of the CUTEST kid clothing!!!!! Today they sent my email and I found these.....

These I picked because I sent them to Mr. Clean because they all have purple and orange which are our wedding colors. I've already got Girl Clean's dress but these are SO PRECIOUS!!!! They are also more then my set limit for what I spend on kid clothing, but it's taking a lot of will power right now!!!!

Mid-Week

It's Wednesday already, how this happened I have no idea!!!

I looked at my Kohls cash that I received after my online matress purchase, it was $130 worth of Kohls cash, $130 worth for FREE STUFF just last week I was looking at $130 worth of stuff. It expired on 5/15, I missed that, this is an indicator of how loopy I am. HOW do you miss $130 of FREE money to spend at one of my favorite places????

I have 6 thank you notes left to write and address, that is all. I figure I was so blessed by the gifts the sooner I got my thank you notes out the more greatful I would seem, maybe I'm just crazy, which is possible.

I don't understand craig list (yes I know how to spell it I'm choosing not to) I need to post an add on there and I went to do this and I think I'm going to have to post under each area of things that I'm selling, YUCK. The good part my friend sent me the add wording from her sale so I have a template to use!!!

I was driving back to work on my lunch thinking. One decision to give e harmony a try one more time. One decision to put my heart on the line and go on a date with someone who has a little girl again. One decision to not turn the car around and drive home and stand him up. One answer when he asked me to marry him. I am realistic enough to know that there will be way more than one disagreement. I understand that no one is perfect. I have enough life experience to know that life isn't always fair, it doesn't always go your way, and sometimes we wonder why. I also know that I found my full circle version of the one I have been waiting for!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

Shoes

Speaking of my beautiful flower girl. I found these shoes at Target on clearance yesterday for $3.23.

Online they are showing for $12. I knew when I picked out her dress I wanted her to have fun sparkly princess shoes to go with her princess dress that she is wearing.

Gift time

I have several gifts that I've either bought or I'm looking to buy. There are so many new babies and yesterday on FB I noticed a lot of engagements. Presents must be bought. It's always fun to look at baby gifts, this cute little number can be found here.

I know stuffed animals multiply but this little lamby found here is sooo cute!!


I thought this little outfit was super fun!! It can be found here.


I've actually purchased 3 of these, they are super soft!!! Kohls is where I bought mine.

This little sleeper is just fun, and in my favorite color!! You can find it here.

I love to give gifts!! Of course I sometimes feel like they are going to break me when I have several different friends who are all getting married or pregnant all at the same time but really I don't mind. It's fun to help celebrate the new opportunities that are happening!!

Valentines date change, on the defense, dating more about clothes, and work

My Valentine's date has been changed. Due to my Grandmother being nervous and uncertain and not liking to leave her place at night I will not be taking her to the restaurant. Instead I will visit during the day and then have Sunday evening free to rest so I can wake up to the crazy day Monday will be.

I read a review on the restaurant and a comment was made by a guest who had a 7:45 reservation last Saturday who had to wait 20 minutes. I wonder what time they arrived, because if you arrive before your reservation time and you have to wait 20 minutes then it's not something that I have to worry about. Until I started working in restaurants I knew nothing of reservations and restaurant operations. If that reservation was at 7:45 and they had to wait 20 minutes then, sometimes that is just how it goes. I asked a friend of mine how often she has to wait past her reservation time and she said almost never. I know that I do my very best to keep the flow of guests reasonably paced and reservations running on time, but by 7:45 there are factors out of my control. If a table for 2 decides to take 3 hours for dinner instead of 2 then that is out of my control. I did learn that at The Palm when it first opened they used to come over and tell people they had to leave. If someone did that to me I would not go back, but maybe that's just me. I tend to get defensive, and I should probably just let it go.

I received a join Eharm0ny free offer and decided to participate. It's weird being back on there after match. They keep sending me guys who are 26-27 and short ones. I delete them. Today they sent 6 matches, I deleted all of them. The one who I would have found interesting lives in TN. I set my distance limit at 30 miles. I work 6 days a week, long distance is not an option, at all. Maybe I'm still just not ready to date. I wish JM would come to his senses and come back and tell me he made a huge mistake, but since I no longer believe in fairy tales I know this is not going to happen. No matter how much I want it to.

Tonight I'm wearing a red dress, tomorrow night the new outfit and I'm still not certain what I will wear Monday night for Valentines night itself. Last night I saw SO MANY cute red dresses, I resisted trying any of them on. Another place that I walked through but didn't dare try anything on was Black H0use White Market, they had fabulous stuff!!!

This week has been my first full week having 2 underwriters. It's been crazy busy and challenging but I think it's going to work out just fine. I've received a lot of compliments so if I keep doing what I'm doing things will be great and maybe next year I will finally get a bonus. Last year I did not qualify because I'd only been with the company for 5 months. This year I did not qualify because to qualify you have to overall exceed expectations and overall I only met them. I had a few individual exceeds but not overall. The quality of life at this job is a million times better then at the previous job so I'm going to stick with the outlook that I'm blessed to be gainfully employed, with not just 1 but 2 jobs!! Next up, seriously trying to find a roommate again, fingers crossed!!

Fashion Friday Post

It's been a while since I've done this. Remember when I posted that I bought these jeans? Heather showed them off in a post on Forever in Blue Jeans.

Yes I used my cell phone in the bathrooms at work. I ran out of time this morning before I could take pictures somewhere other than the work bathroom. So please excuse the poor quality and awkward arm and hand that is holding the cell phone.

These jeans have already netted me a few compliments. I took the bigger size back last night. There are SO MANY cute clothes in stores right now. I texted MG that it was painful to be good when I saw so much that I wanted to try! I did end up in Limited, literally clothes were just calling my name, well maybe not literally. Anyways, Limited is having it's 70% off sale right now. The one thing I've noticed the quality of their pants is not what it used to be.

The last time I bought pants from there was 2 years ago when I had a gift card. Even since then the quality is not the same. When I compare the pants from 2004 to those pants from 2009 to the pants I tried on last night there is a difference! Maybe it was just time of year or other factors but it's disappointing. This used to be my favorite place for work pants! I DID find a fabulous outfit on clearance for this weekend!!! Part of what makes my job so fun is dressing up for events, I'll try to remember to post pictures!

New Jeans

Heather did a post about these jeans... Mine arrived today and I'm IN LOVE!!! They are fabulous!!! I read the reviews and noticed that they tended to run long so I just ordered regular length and they are long but not so long that a pair of heels won't do the trick!! I am so excited for Friday when I can wear them to work!!!