Roller Coaster

Today has been a little insane.

First of all, I didn't link up to virtual coffee today

because I was busy having a real-life coffee date with my sweet

"pick up where we left off last time" girlfriend

who just became a Mommy.

(and also incidentally, actually thinks I keep my house clean)

(She is also reading this right now and knows I'm talking about her)

(Hello, sorry I talked about you in the third person)

It was wonderful!

Then I went to work, which was fine...

until I went to leave and realized I had locked

my key in the car for first time ever!

But then, my amazing Husband rescued me

but we had to gallup his Noble Steed home as quickly as possible because....

I was late for the piano lesson I teach!

I felt bad for making my 7-year-old student

and her parents wait on me (as they were...in the driveway)

And then you know what happened?

They brought a fancy cupcake!

With the most impossibly high pile of pink frosting

I have ever seen!

And sprinkles!

And, as much I would love to show it to you,

this description and your imagination will have to do...

Because I....

might have eaten most of it already.

Which will also explain how scattered this post seems.

I am currently on a very serious sugar high.

The best kind.

Crazy, crazy crazy.

But I think girlfriends with babies,

bold rescues by Husbands,

and cupcakes

trump locking keys in your car.

Don't you agree?

For Love of a Book: Part One

I have always (okay, maybe not always) loved reading, and my

old love has made a recent resurgence.

I had a couple bumps along the reading road lately

(to be described in detail at a later time)

and then I stumbled upon this classic sitting

unassumingly on my bookcase and it has been like a safe haven in the

windy sea of literature. I know.

Dramatic.

But I am in looooove.

And, okay, I haven't even finished it yet, though I will soon,

but I've seen enough BBC renditions of this baby

to know I will be like how it ends.

I almost can't wait to get to work so I can read a few more chapters

before my little charge wakes up.

It's Monday. But never fear,

there's only a few more days until next Saturday.

Happy weeks to all!

Have you made any booky friends lately?

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A Few Tidbits

I feel like I've been pretty MIA lately.

I missed "Life Made Lovely Mondays" and "Virtual Coffee" on Tuesday.

And when I say "missed" I really mean missed.

I guess ever since I've been back to the bloggy world, I've been trying to make sure I don't end up in the hole that made me take a break in the first place -

putting my blog over things that (while usually less fun) are more important.

Read: cleaning the bathroom before work.

So, unfortunately, a heightened sense of priority has kept me away, but I'll be back in full force tomorrow. Prepare yourself for an announcement concerning my "10 To Do in 2011," how I really feel about "Moby Dick," and possibly some pictures. In the meantime, here are a few things...

1. Can I just take a moment to tell you how much I looooooove Fresh Market. Now, they didn't pay me to say that.....but I wish someone would. Then I could actually shop there...

I mean more than I currently do,

which is a few minutes every month or so to grab some specific item,

when I don't have enough time to peruse aisles and spend my entire paycheck.

2. This is one reason I didn't have time to blog yesterday....

It's my closet - organized and arranged according to color!

Yes, it did take me all morning, but it's basically changed my life. In the last 48 hours, if I have felt even the slightest unhappiness, all I have to do it walk in and take a quick glance, and every little trouble floats away. Yeah, I'm talking about a closet.....

3. Bama Man and I just finished "The Social Network." I really enjoyed it, but I have to admit...it might be the last straw that causes me to give up Facebook for real, instead of just saying I might when I get tired of it. I'm not sure I want to be a cog in the Mark Zuckerburg machine. I'm just saying.

Hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday, see you tomorrow!

An Unconventional St. Patrick's Day

"When Irish eyes are smiling, they're up to something"

So here's the deal, I'm usually pretty over-the-top about St. Patrick's Day. I love it! And, hey, the only reason I'm alive is because my Great-Great-Grandfather came over on the boat from "Erin" and planted himself here in the States, so I have a wee bit of right. So, in my usual way I planned this day out to perfection to be filled with mint thin making and Riverdance watching (Yes, I own it). Instead, I ended up scrubbing the mess (punny, no?) out of my kitchen and baking banana bread. I know....it's a little sad. OR it would be if this banana bread was not scrumptious! See?

When I have more time, I'll have to share! For now, I hope you're all having a wonderful time, and a wee bit '0' Irish fun.......

Coffe Date

That's Bama Man and me twirling back there, isn't he wonderful

Good morning! How are you? If we were having coffee today... I'd offer you some breakfast...but secretly wish you had brought some scones with you. I could really go for a scone right now.

I'd probably ask you if you noticed that I've been messing with my blog a lot lately. If you did, I would probably apologize, and thank you for sticking it out. I'm just nesting really. Growing up my Momma was constantly moving furniture around, perfecting her home. To this day when I walk in for an occasional visit, the living room is almost certain to be arranged differently than the last time. It's part of her charm. So, it should go without saying that I was a teenager and young adult who rearranged her bedroom quarterly or so, and that I have basically been genetically formatted to be in "nest perfection" mode....well, a lot. Turns out, when I married the man of my dreams and moved into a place of my own that, for the most part, everything is kind of situated the way it works and the way we like it, so it usually stays that way. So my nesting energy usually gets channeled into compulsive fits of straightening and dish washing. Turns out it also gets channeled into my blog layout. Don't be alarmed, I think I'm done....for a minute.

As with most social activities, I'd probably talk too much, so I'd tell you about the phase that I'm in right now. Not a phase, as in a fleeting thing, but as in transition to something permanent and workable, phase. Like a "phase 1" phase. It seems like these days "minimal living," and "simplifying" are all the rage. And the idea is certainly alluring. I bought in. I considered the idea of "downsizing." I purged my closet and packed up unneeded household items for the eventual yard sale I hope to have. But I looked around, and I didn't feel done. And after kicking the idea around with my Baby Sister I realized what I really need. I call it "utilizing." Yes, it's important to declutter and release ourselves from unneeded things, but isn't the idea also about eliminating waste? I whine about having "nothing to wear" but my closet it full. I complain about not having enough "entertaining space" while I have a husband who is a grill master and my (almost) gigantic back porch lays in disrepair. I browse the clearance section of Anthro for more and more dishes when my kitchen cabinets can barely hold the ones we have. Maybe what I really need is to take stock and start using the things and spaces I already have. Does that make any sense at all?

Then you would probably think "Soapbox much?" but you're polite so you would probably just nod and smile, drink your remaining coffee as quickly as possible, and head out. And that's okay, I understand. I have to get going anyway, those bathrooms aren't going to clean themselves :)

I am so glad you stopped by today! Same time next week?

Check in later this week for a post about the amazing vacuum cleaner my amazing husband bought me!

I'm linking up here today!

Ankles, You Are Lovely

Dear Ankles,

I have missed you so much! Thank you for gracing me with your presence today. I will look eagerly for your next coming...please make it soon.

Your devoted servant,

Me


What have you done with the recent Spring weather (if you're lucky enough to have it)?

I'm linking up here today, go check it out!

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Coffee Date

Good morning! If we were having coffee today, the first thing I would do is introduce you to my Momma which would only be fair since I'm sitting enjoying the view from her bedroom windows. I would admit to you that staying here always makes me realize I'm a little more of an outdoor girl than I think. Not a hiking, fishing, muddy sort of outdoor girl. And not if the temperature is under about 60 or about about 80. But a leisurely stroll, coffee on the porch, sunshine-y outdoor girl. The kind of girl that makes my parent's 5-acre property kind of alluring. Waking up to sun streaming through multiple windows, looking out on trees and lawns is awfully cheery. Still, I don't think there's anything better than waking up at my house. I love my house. Even if I get spoiled a little by my Momma while I'm here...

Breakfast in Bed

But let's face it, Bama Man spoils me an awful lot too...wow, I think you were just party to a pretty major personal discovery...Let's move on...

I'd also probably let you in on the clothing fast I started. It's not like I'm racking up big totals at the mall or anything, but I pass Plato's Closet and its magnetic pull everyday on the way to work. And I'm a little done with all the "I want a new cardigan," or the "I want a new spring-y skirt," or the "I want a pair of dress pants that are actually flattering," thoughts that I've been having lately while my dresser and closet remain full. So I'm on a mission. And I'd probably whine about it a little bit. Okay, okay, so it's only been a couple days and fine, I haven't even had the opportunity to buy anything, but the idea itself is getting to me, okay! I will admit that it has already been providing me with new insight, though. On Sunday I coupled my favorite pencil skirt that I wear all the time with a top and sweater that I never wear. And it looked pretty good (if I do say so myself). And then you would congratulate me for being thrifty resourceful. Right?

Now that you let me have my whine, I'll put my big girl panties on and get over myself. To make myself feel even better, I think I'll probably be showing you some new outfits I find in my old wardrobe, as they come along. Anyone want to join me?

Well, this has been so much fun, wish I could stay a little longer, but this little thrifty girl has to go to work. Enjoy your Tuesday!

Linking up here today!

Embracing the Tedious

"If I am incapable of washing dishes joyfully, if I want to finish them quickly so I can go and have a cup of [coffee], then I will be incapable of drinking the [coffee] joyfully."
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Gotta Let You Know..

There is a FABulous giveaway going on over at Casey's blog! It is a gift card for the Just.Lovely.Things Etsy shop. If you haven't seen the adorable-ness going on over there, you should certainly check it out!

Enjoy Friends, more blogging this weekend :)

Coffee Date

If we were having coffee this morning, I'd ask you what you like on your crepes. I'm getting my morning off right with some french press and Turner Classic Movies. Which is why I would also ask you if you've ever seen "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Now I'm not usually one for conflict in the movies, but there is something about this movie that makes me watch it everytime it comes on tv. I think it's a combination of factors; Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Burl Ives, the sensuous beauty of the south in old movies......but you know what I think it is most? The bedroom!

Look at it! Look at how lavish and airy and lovely it is...

Look at that bed...Yes please!

The curtains above the bed, the wicker, all the white....

And you know what, it's all fine in the end. Maybe that's why I like it, because it's real and it's still alright. Anyway, I suggest it if you feel like some drama, southern beauty, and classic Elizabeth.

P.S. Happy March! Spring is just around the corner......

P.P.S. I'm linking here today, stop on over!