Monday Funny

On the drive down to Charlotte, I happened to see this license plate.

Something To Make Me Smile

I was having a very difficult weekend, attempting to understand, to accept and find my footing. A very dear, dear friend heard the struggle in my voice and showed up at my work to take me to dinner. We went to Five Guys and through bites of cheeseburger and a few tears I unloaded. He offered words of encouragement and after finishing an entire order of fries I felt so much better.

But dinner wasn't all he had up his sleeve.

He also gifted me this little guy. You can't see from the picture, but his back unzips and inside were 3 packages of my beloved Skittles. And even though I am scared of spiders, I think this little spider is too cute.

Talbots? Really!

Jacob and Courtney are getting married on Saturday. I've known of this date and the fact that I'd need a dress for their 3pm wedding for several months. Over the past months I've visited Coldwater Creek, Kohl's, Christopher & Banks, Hamrick's, Dress Barn - the physical stores as well as their respective websites. Dresses were either too casual, too party, too summery, too sleeveless or too tight which made me too tired to keep looking.

Still, the clock kept ticking. With less than a week remaining, and only slighly panicky, I emailed Myla. She suggested Steinmart or Talbots.

Talbots? I'd always thought that was a store for the more mature, rich women. This late in the game I figured I'd pay whatever price to find a dress decent enough for the wedding. I headed to Thruway.

I went to Talbots first and wandered around feeling very out of place. I walked over to a rack containing several dresses. I pulled a sleeveless black dress off the rack and quickly found a dressing room. I put on the dress, turned around and in the mirror was a very classy, slender(!) looking me. I wasn't bothered by the fact the dress was sleeveless. And the pleated bodice does indeed make me look slimmer. I held my breathe as I found the price tag. $169.00 was marked through with red ink. $99.99. Score! While I declined saving 15% by opening a charge account, I did receive a 10% discount by becoming a rewards member.

So I got this lovely, fully lined, brushed-back wool dress for a mere $96.09. I can't wait to wear it!

Monday Funny

Text to Sam

Me: Cade's Pride cars

Sam: Awe :)

Date Night

When Allan works nights, Cade and I get to have what I affectionately call "Date Night". We usually do the same thing each date night. We start by having dinner at IHOP, then do some light and quick shopping. He doesn't mind going to Walmart or Staples as he can con me into getting him Matchbox cars or mechanical pencils.

Monday Funny

Be Pink!

I've been wanting to do pink hair for some time. After the red, pink wasn't really that hard of a stretch. While I knew my manager at work couldn't really say anything about pink hair, I was a little weary. As a trainer and in management, I'm expected to look professional.

So when US Airways announced the Be Pink! campaign, I knew I could get away with it.

Jennipher Ross, from Hair Plus at Hanes Mall is absolutely fabulous. Yes, it's pink, but it does look professional. I love it!

Sabika

I absolutely love Sabika jewelry. I always get compliments when I wear their earrings or my Pacific Opal choker.

If you are interested in ordering let me know. I'm not a consultant, but your purchase could help my "party."

Monday Funny

Texts from Sam

Sam: Voting for Obama in a school election?

Me: Cade?

Sam: Huh?

Me: you sent me a text about voting for Obama in a school election

Sam: Yes. That's the episode of "New Normal" that's on tonight

Me: Oh

Sam: Is that what you want me to watch?

Me: the whole series not just the 1 episode but yes definitely watch it tonight

Sam: Ah Okay. Oh I've seen commercials for this. It has that guy who was in National Treasure with Nicholas Cage. A woman is a gay couple's surrogate mother. Created by Ryan Murphy from Glee.

Me: and the lead actor from the Book of Mormon

Sam: Oh wow! Cool! Is that why you want me to watch it?

Me: Not entirely

Sam: Is this the new show you're into?

Me: Yes           

Do Crew

Chad and I are waiting for the Midnight Fun Run to start. (It really didn't start at midnight, rather the entire event was over by midnight.) Our job was to cheer the runners and make sure no one fell, got run over or needed any type of first aide.

I Got My Invitation!

Texts from Sam

Sam: Mr. Gyllenhaal

Sam: The set (can't really see the water). I snuck this just for you.

An Afternoon At The Movies

Steer clear of big wooden boxes at yard sales. Especially if your 10 year old seems unnaturally attracted to it.

There wasn't anything particularly scary about the movie. It was the anticipation of something happening that kept me focused.

Well, that and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Join Us

Texts from Sam

Sam:

Me: I sooo want to see his show!

Sam: Um...don't hate me...but we're going Friday...

Me: WHAT?!?!

Me: I hate you! I ahte you hate you hate you hate you hate you

Sam: Then I guess I won't be mailing you a program.

Me: Call me.  

BookMarks Festival

Because I am a book lover, it's not too much of a stretch for me to get really excited about the BookMarks Festival. I first attended several years ago and then was unable to attend due to SETC. The past couple of years Mallorie and I made the pilgrimage. Since she wasn't going to be with me this year, I decided to volunteer. I especially wanted to work the Book Signing tent, which would give me a chance to meet some authors.

Now this was the first time that I didn't really know any of the headlining authors. I arrived to the festival early so I could spend time in the the Wake Forest Bookstore to peruse the books and get educated on the festival authors. I bought One Sunday Morning by Amy Ephron, as the book she was actually here to promote was a pre-order. Gillian Flynn was promoting Gone Girl, Now I don't usually pay full price for books. I borrow them from the library or purchase via Amazon. Gone Girl was a $25 book that really didn't sound that interesting from the cover. Not having read Gillian's other books I was very hesitant. I did overhear two ladies talking about Sharp Objects and after reading the backcover, I was intrigued. I decided to purchase that one and have her sign it.

Here I am with Gillian Flynn. She had one of the longest book-signing lines and she was very gracious with everyone. She stayed past her time to make sure everyone got their booked signed.

Cool Postcard

Sam's First Job

Back in June when Sam told me he got a job, I thought he said he was working at Bacon Bagels. He corrected me after he picked himself from falling over with laughter. He works at Bakin' Bagels in Maywood, New Jersey. Of course we had to stop in for breakfast and to see Sam in action.

Here's what the store looks like from the inside.

Not sure why this picture came out so light, but here is Sam hard at work making mine and Cade's bacon, egg, and cheese bagels.

Texts from Sam

Sam: where are you

Me: back at the hotel

Sam: Wow, that was quick!

Me: I know. We only had to circle around once!

Sam: So next time you come up and stay there, you'll be pros

Me: That is what grandma said. Cade wants to come back in October.

Sam: What's in October? Fall break?

Me: Or a weekend, I think he misses u.

Sam: I miss him too

Me: I know. I loved watching u hold his hand. Bb and Lb.

Sam: We were in the pool last night and he just turned to me and said, "You're my brother." before he swam to the other side.

Me: Meant a lot to you, didn't it?

Sam: Yeah

Me: I think he would have used Sam more often if grandma had tried

Sam: Probably. She'll get it eventually.

Me: U just need to gently remind her to call u by your name. 

An Afternoon in the (NY) City

Today's plan was to head into the city. My plan was to perhaps see a Broadway show. Sam wasn't too interested in any of the shows, my mom didn't care either way and Cade was a flat no. Since I didn't want to plunk down $400 for the less than ecstatic we simply walked around Times Square. We spent a good deal of time in M & M's World.

Cade is getting his "color" read. His color was aqua.

We also stopped in Hershey'sand then tried to find The Drama Book Shop. We walked several blocks only to find the shop is closed on Sundays.

We decided to go to Chevy's to cool off, rest and have an early dinner.

After dinner we headed back to Sam's via Port Authority's 163/Route 3 bus. Once we got back to his house, I could tell he didn't want us to leave. We hung out for a while where Cade sat with Sam in an oversized chair watching Spongebob. All too soon, and because of the heat, it was time for us to head back to the hotel. It was almost as hard leaving Sam as it was watching him leave back in May. My plan to stop by his work for breakfast the next morning before hitting the road was but a small consolation.

A Little Bit About Cade

A Night At The Theatre, "Abraham Lincoln's Big, Gay Dance Party"

Yes, I really saw a show called Abraham Lincoln's Big, Gay Dance Party. And if Chris Chandler hadn't been in it, I'm sure I would have never known about the play.

Here's a synopsis according the their website: The story is set in Menard County, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln once lived and operated a general store. It begins with the annual school Christmas pageant, where the 4th-grade teacher, Harmony Green, has rewritten the script to call into question Lincoln’s sexuality.

The town is horrified and demands she be held accountable. The local DA, Tom Hauser, has Green fired and arrested for distributing harmful materials to minors.

Hauser, a former Republican congressman who left Washington in disgrace in the 80s, receives national attention for the arrest. The RNC sends one of its best people, Lloyd Chambers, to Menard to set Hauser up for a run for Governor.

At the same time, Hauser's friend and protégée, Regina Lincoln, a State Senator, is planning a run for the Governor's mansion and goes to Menard to ask Tom to campaign for her -- only to discover he is running against her. And with the favorable media attention he is attracting as a result of the trial, Regina is certain to lose in the primary. Betrayed and hungry for revenge, she realizes she can attract the same amount of attention and cast Hauser as an out-of-touch radical by acting as Green's defense attorney. When she does, the trial becomes "the trial of the century," pitting two Republican power houses against each other.

This brings Anton Renault to town. A Pulitzer-winning reporter from the New York Times, Renault has his own agenda stemming from Hauser's time in Congress. Renault blames Hauser for exacerbating the AIDS crisis and intends to use his coverage of the trial as an opportunity to end Hauser's career once and for all. His efforts are unexpectedly complicated by the friendship he forms with Hauser's son, Jerry Hauser.

The play is about the trial of the century, but it is also about history -- the history of Lincoln (and the radically disparate interpretations of it), and the history of animosities and friendships between the characters stemming from the 80s. One could say the play examines how we are constantly "re-litigating" our history.

I didn't care for the show at all. It wasn't necessarily the acting, though there really were no strong performances. It's the play itself. With a name like Abraham Lincoln's Big, Gay Dance Party what incentive does one really have to take things seriously?

Texts from Sam

Sam: Laptop/printer shopping...I feel uncomfortable and unintelligent without you helping me :/

Text to Sam

Me: Just so you know, I'm having a moment. We are in Walmart getting Cade's school supplies. A wave of sadness hit me that you aren't here too.

Sam: I haven't evens started with supplies yet cuz I have no idea what I'll need. But yea, that's x5 million is where I was last night.

Texts from Sam

Sam: Restoring my childhood one CD at a time.

A Book Review

As I mentioned in this post, I received my second book from Bethany House. I absolutely loved the first book I got so I was rather excited about this one.

My excitement didn't last.

This book is apparently the third of a Roland March series. I haven't read the first two and I don't think I'd read any subsequent books. This one involved gun running, Mexican cartels, FBI conspiracy, etc. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

The story started out very promising. A body is found with a missing head. Both hands have been skinned (de-gloved) and a pointing finger could be a clue. Enter Detective Roland March.

I was intrigued all through the first half of the book. Once the storyline took off with the Mexican cartels, I got lost and my interest waned. I did plug on and finished the book, but it was a difficult read.

Overall I feel the book is miss titled. Plenty of people had everything to hide. What irritated me most was, while the initial homicide was solved, the identity of the victim was never determined. A better title might be "Nothing Resolved."

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for my review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.

Texts from Sam

Sam: Walking around Barefoot Landing. Missing you guys a lot.

Me: Miss u too. Wish I was there too. Except for the bridges.

Sam: I'd hold your hand like I did last time. 

Museum Do Crew

Earlier today Chad, Cade and I participated in a Do Crew event at the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem. We got to help out during the museum's "Kickoff to Kindergarten" event. I'd worked this event before and  knew how much fun it would be. I also thought Cade could give some really good advice.

As you can see, we were stationed in the Art Room. We helped the kids make mini-journals and/or color a 3D bus. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the kids stamp pictures and glue headers in their journals. Most of the stamped pictures turned out to be colored blobs but they were still happy with their creations. And I was happy that they were happy. Because there's nothing more infectious than a kid's laughter.

Update:

Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 11:20 AM
Subject: Kickoff to Kindergarten - Thank you!

Thank you all so much for your involvement with our annual Kickoff to Kindergarten celebration! From buses to books to delicious treats to volunteer hours – you did so much to help kids and parents get excited about the school year. We appreciate your time and energy!

With sincere thanks,

Christine Simonson
Director of Education
Children's Museum of Winston-Salem

Texts from Sam

Sam: I found Cade's name on a boogie board.

Me: Lol! It's a misspelling!

Sam: I know! But it's his name! :)

Bedroom Make-over, In Progress

Two of my bedroom walls are painted with the darker Utah Sky paint. I'm really loving the color!Tomorrow we will be painting the rest of my bedroom and hallway with the lighter version.

I'll also have to tape the walls to redo the molding trim. I'll have to make another stop at the Depot for some more painter's tape.

Texts with Sam

Sam: My Nikes are giving me shoegasms :)

Me: Is that a good thing?

Sam: How can anything ending in "gasm" be a bad thing?

A Stop At The Depot

Home Depot that is! Armed with one of my new pillow shams, I spent an hour picking up various paint chips. I've gotta tell you, sometimes too many options is not a good thing!

I finally settled on a particular card with a blue that I really liked and thought matched my sham pretty well. Utah Sky. I had to laugh. Not exactly a sea glass/beach name, but the thought of sleeping surrounded by the Utah Sky seems fitting.

I did consult the Home Depot experts and walked away with a gallon of Utah Sky for my accent walls and a gallon of a much lighter version of Utah Sky for the remainder of my room. I'm very excited about these colors and can't wait until next weekend to begin my bedroom make-over.

Sea Glass Inspiration

I've been scouring magazines and the internet looking for inspiration for redecorating my bedroom since January. I've had the same comforter set for almost 10 years and I'm sick, sick, sick of my vanilla bedroom walls.

Initially I was digging the hotel look. I really liked the clean look of the popular brown/mint combinations. After viewing hundreds of bedding sets, I grew bored with the industrial look. No one really wants to live in a hotel room, right? Frustrated, I gave up.

A few months ago I was in Lowe's looking for a bottle of reisling and my eyes landed on this brand. I feel in love with the textured label! After finishing the wine I took care in peeling off the label. I mounted it on cardstock, framed it, and decided the label would be the inspiration piece for my bedroom makeover.

While green is my favorite color I realized I what really attracted my attention were the blues. So, back to the magazines and websites I went in search of bedding sets that would compliment the blue sea glass.

Finally, (finally!) I found exactly what I was looking for on the JCPenney website. It's Lakota Paisley by Cindy Crawford. I ordered the comforter set, 3 valances and two of the plain white accent pillows. Since everything was on sale, I also ordered some white sheets.


Everything but the sheets were delivered today. Tomorrow I'm taking a pillow sham to Home Depot to get some paint. I really like the blue wall in the picture. I am so excited!

Another Book To Review

I've been selected to review this book, so watch for an upcoming post. (The book will take 3-4 weeks to get to me, so check back here the end of August.)

If you would be interested in signing up to receive review copies of books, click here to sign up!

Nothing to Hide by J. Mark Bertrand
A Roland March Mystery
On the streets of Houston, the discovery of a headless corpse launches a new case for Detective Roland March. But when the FBI identify the victim as one of their undercover assets, they want March to protect their operation—even if it means compromising the investigation.

Unable to let a murder go unsolved, March does a little digging and figures out that something isn’t right. Someone’s covering something up, and it seems everyone has something to hide—maybe even March.

Don't you just love the view?

I can't believe it's been almost 6 years since I've vacationed at the beach. And I'm absolutely excited that the family is together for this Myrtle Beach trip. Allan and Cade have been here since Sunday. Sam and I arrived last night.

We've got plans towalk around Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. We're going to go to Tangers Outlet to get some shoes for Sam. And of course we're going to hit the beach for some much needed sun and fun!

Clothespin Magnets

Here's a very inexpensive, quick and easy craft.

I found packages of cute clothespins in the $1.00 bin at Michael's several months ago. I had several ideas on how to use them. Last night I picked up some magnetic tape (a .5 in x 30 in roll was also a buck) and decided to turn a pack of the clothespins into fridge magnets.

You'll need:

1. A pack of clothespins
2. Magnetic tape
3. Scissors
4. 5 minutes

You'll need to cut a total of 8 small pieces off the magnetic tape. You'll want to cut the magnet piece slightly smaller than the clothespin. I just eyeballed the size.

The hardest part is peeling the tape of the magnetic piece. Once the backing is removed, place the sticky side down on your clothespin and give a little squeeze so the magnet piece will adhere.

Voila! Cute fridge magnets!

I may or may not be spending too much time on Pinterest.

What do you think?

A Night At The Movies, "The Amazing Spiderman"

Despite it being Friday the 13th, Chad and I headed to The Grand where we paid $15.00 to see The Amazing Spiderman in IMAX.

I've seen all the 3 other Spiderman movies with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst and I liked each one of them. I was very surprised to learn that the franchise was being rebooted so soon.

Andrew Garfield's no Tobey Maguire, but he is just as fine as Peter Parker/Spiderman. He does bring more of a cockiness to the role that I wasn't sure I liked.

I was very impressed with Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. I was not at all familiar with her character since Mary Jane is usually included as Spidey's girlfriend.

I did miss Rosemary Harris as Aunt May. In the reboot Sally Field plays this role and I just didn't buy it. I see all the other characters she's played (Gidget, Sybil, Norma Rae and M'Lynn) so it took me out of the movie during each scene she was in.

Overall, it's a good comic book action movie.

A Book Review

Some say not to judge a book by it's cover. I found it very hard not to get excited about "My Stubborn Heart" because of such an attractive cover. I didn't have to create imagines of Kate and Matt; their pictures were right on the cover. (Although they do leave enough of Matt to my imagination!) I loved the fresh yellow band and the title script is textured. This book felt so good in my hands!

This was my first Christian romance novel. I was initially nervous as this is a genre I normally steer clear. I must say, the book absolutely lived up to my enthusiasm over the cover. I loved everything about the book. I loved the story, I loved the author's style of writing, I loved it all!

Kate, in need of a break from life (work burnout, a few failed relationships), has agreed to assist her grandmother with renovating her childhood home. Matt, a former NHL hockey star, is the hired contractor.

Matt's wife died a few years earlier. He's hiding from the world and he's lost his faith. Kate has strong faith and intuits Matt's abyss. Slowly they become friends and eventually they begin dating. Kate realizes her purpose differs from the path her heart wants to take. While painful to her, she gently nudges Matt toward a return to hockey. I greatly admire people with a strong faith in God, and it was this faith that really endeared me to Kate.

Having just completed "50 Shades of Grey" the lack of sex was so very refreshing! Kate and Matt were definitely attracted to each other, but their physical attraction wasn't a necessary part of their story. I didn't miss it one bit!

I am very impressed with Becky Wade and would love to read more of her books.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for my review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.

Successful Marketing

Here's where, and why, Cade wanted to go to dinner tonight.