Friday 5

Wintered out...yes, I am.  Picking some fun spring looks that I love and sharing them with you.....


1.  \

Ya'll know I have short hair.  I really like having my hair cut off and have no time for long stuff - plus I look bad w/long hair (its true).  Since we've been watching House of Cards my husband and I both like Robin Wright's haircut.  I would just lose some shag.  So maybe for spring I'll go a bit more pixie.

2.  
I love these colors.  My closet consists of really one color right now....black.  I hope to move more color in....especially tangerine and sandstone.

3.  

I kinda love this....

4.  

I kinda need this for those nights by the fire with a good glass of sangria...(right babe?)

5.  
Keep your Rainbows....give me my Rafters.  This is the year I finally get a new pair.  Maybe two....one for river and one for everywhere else.

I Think & Stuff & Things Thursday

Thursday you're here, have a seat, please.

I think....

....Whatever the hell this weather pattern is I do not like it.  What happened to 70 degree February days.  Don't look at me that way we have had them all my life, popping up here and there.  I am so angry about this.

....I am so sick of snow.  No, I know I am.

....I dared to go to Walmart right before the other snowpacolypse began.  There wasn't a big deal going on or anything.  What has happened has the South became numb to this horrid weather pattern?

....McDonald's is the most mind numbing, make me hate society place in my hometown.  I spent a lunch break there (only drinking coffee) and felt violated just sitting in there.  A couple - massively obese - were just there to use the free wi-fi.  Laborers were there that needed a good grooming appointment (anyone can get a haircut guys....its called Great Clips).  And one lovely gentleman on his cell phone basically screamed "take the g.d. drug test" ----- and to top everything off they screwed up my husband's Big Mac.  

....Hold on, wait a minute, isn't the Big Mac the freakin' whole purpose of McDonald's?  And you screwed it up?  What?  

....McDonald's was an OK place back in the 80s and 90s when teenagers worked at it.  Now you have adults, obviously strung out on an overdose of stupid (or at least meth) who cannot comprehend the idea of fast food OR how to put a freakin' mystery meat sandwich together.

....I'm over the rant.  I hate MCD.

....I pulled in there two days later and had the freshest fake nuggets ever.  Ugh I give up. 

....Men who leave their wives and then try to spin it like they were forced to should be hired by MCD.  My bestie J will smile at that one.

....Kevin Spacey is a fantastic actor; creepy but fantastic.

.....I will never drink another libation with a buffalo on it.  It trampled me.  (Keep it to yourself Judah)

.....I am very excited to have a paint brush in my hand this weekend.  More excited I'll be with my college bestie but ya know that paintbrush is just an added perk.

.....You should go purchase Joey's book Yeah, Maybe for $1.99 before it jumps back to $7.99

.....I rocked that Pinterest, nearly fail, dessert I made last weekend!  (It was on the IG account)

.....I miss the beach. Maybe its all this winter weather but I really miss it.

.....I feel bad for all those negative people comments about MCD up there.  Ugh always happens.

.....I think I am a Carolina girl....Carolina, Puerto Rico that is.  When it was all nasty out and snowing on Tuesday morning I found that beautiful municipality and thought, yes that is my Carolina.

That's a beautiful shot to leave you with, no?

Love Notes: Hurt & Healing

Wouldn't it be great if all marriages were perfect?  There would be no need for divorce lawyers or couples counselors or heartbreak.  Every day would end with a kiss and every morning would start in the exact same fashion.



Ahhh, we don't live in that world.  We live in a world where divorce does exist and pain is real and heartache is often visiting.  There is no other word for it than sadness.

No one on this earth is perfect and due to that fact no situation is guaranteed to be bliss.  I hate to be the bearer of that news.  We all have things that make us annoying....sometimes its little things like leaving the toilet seat up or not putting the cap on the toothpaste.  Other times it is bigger things like not being financially responsible or reliance on a substance or drink that overtakes the marriage.  And sometimes its carnal and leads to affairs or abuse.

I associate with Christianity and in that I associate with a God who is a lover and never, ever a hater.  I understand that others do see a God who hates things and I can be honest with you when I say that in my heart God loves every single person and creature on this earth no matter what we humans think.  Everyone we cast judgement on....He loves.  He made them,  He knows them deeper than our shallow selves will ever know them.

If there is one thing I can safely say God does not like it is watching His creation hurt.

There is healing for a spouse who is an addict.  But first that person has to realize the problem is there.  They need support from their companion, helper, lover (the spouse).  They need unconditional love and that outreached hand when the struggle is all too real for them.  God put you together for a purpose and He knew long before you did what you would go through.

But when the day comes and you have worked hard to be that pillar of strength for the person who has succumbed to addiction and when they choose to not make the change, I pray that you will seek the guidance you need to do the right thing.



 Also, you were not created to be a punching bag or to be terrorized.  You were not created to be a slave to a person who has no true love for you.  You are beautiful and you were made to thrive in His light.  You are not to feel as if you must stay with someone who could go too far with a blow or a knife and remove you from this earth.  Find your strength, make your plan, let God lead you and get out.

Many denominations of Protestant Christianity will give you various translations about divorce.  Jesus himself stated that marriage was sacred and the only reason to divorce would be adultery.  We are in 2015 and we are smart people and we know God doesn't approve of abuse and God doesn't want your light to burn out.



This is a series on making marriage stronger and realizing how important it is.  I just couldn't continue to blog on that topic knowing that there are readers who are in very tough circumstances.  They'll give their right arm, leg, kidney, and lung to make their marriage work but they don't see that marriage is a machine with two critical units.  When only one is doing the enrichment, the marriage isn't going to chug much farther.  It takes two.  Two people who care and love and want to get ahead and have a marriage that is of the strongest fibers.

Let your light shine bright.

Tasty Tuesday

I'm getting sick of comfort food and winter stuff.  I'm really ready for some grilling and beer on the porch with friends.  Look, I'm being totally honest.  We love to have people over in the warm months and gather around the table (outside) while the kids play in the yard.  The laughter and discussion while just enjoying the sunshine and warmer temps cannot be beat.

But it is February and we do have a few weeks before that NC mercury rises any.

Our grill is amazing - I have mentioned it before.  We purchased the Stok Island Grill last year.  Not only is this a terrific grill it is an insert system grill.  Yes....we have the pizza stone.....the kabob rack...the wok....the veggie pot.  Yes....we love it all.  Our food never burns and is always so full of flavor that only a grill can give.



This year it was brought to my attention they have a cast iron kettle insert!  Do you know how excited I was to see this?!?  I now envision my Stok Grill cooking up a pot of corn, shrimp, and potatoes with a nice light beer to go with it or a good Pinot Gris.

YES!!!  THIS IS WHAT I SEE!  And the cool thing about Stok....
they offer recipes to help you get ahead with your inserts!

If you're in the market for a new grill this spring you must check out Stok.  We have been more than pleased with our purchase.  The best part is the price won't break you and the options are endless.

Check them out at http://www.stokgrills.com
You can also find them at your local Target store!

All pictures from:  stokgrills.com (because mine is all bundled up from the cold)

Around the Home

Today I bring to you....The Family Room!

This room used to be the Play Room but I decided, after everything happened, I did not want another room to be a catch all for the kid's toys.  Today the majority of the toys are in their bedrooms and we have a kid friendly living room to hang out in before bed time and when they have friends over.

I love this room.

The walls are Montpelier Ashlar Gray from Valspar (Lowes).  This color makes me melt, it is calming and comfortable and basically works as a darker neutral.  

See that trunk?  I have had it since college.  I love that thing!  It fits this room great too.

I paired the paint with this rug by Threshold (Target).  I adore the arrangement of golden yellow, cream, and gray.  The furniture is second hand that we purchased four years ago from a friend.  I didn't want new furniture in a room kids could relax in...I bet you understand!

The walls are a bit bare right now but I'm not too worried about it.  I tend to not rush to find art work and wall decor because I want to fall in total love with what I buy.

Yes I said it was the playroom but old habits die hard ya know....

Most of you know I'm a bargain betty so many of the items I found to re-decorate with were lucky clearance finds or purchased with a lot of strategic couponing and or gift card usage.  I have a huge issue with choosing curtains.  When I found this valence at Goodwill with the tags still attached I was over the moon.  $3?  SOLD!

All of our rooms have Plantation Blinds in them (except the bathrooms and kids rooms).  I found Bali ones at Target for $14 and Lowes Home Improvement had a house brand for $18.  If you're looking do check both of those stores!

And I'm doing this backwards but I just want to throw in that "shock" or "wow" factor...this room prior to the changes?  Well see for yourself:

Slight change, no?  

Speaking of bargains.....I have one for you!

Do you like to cuddle up with a good book during these cold, nasty days and nights?  One of my fabulous blog friends, Joey Hodges, wrote a great book Yeah, Maybe ---- this week ONLY you can score it on Amazon for $1.99!!!  Go ahead and download that baby for a good winter snow read or for your spring break choice.  From Joey:

For quiet, reserved, and focused 15 year old Annie Mackey, school was a sanctuary.  But when her bubbly and beautiful neighborhood best friend joins her at Willow Point High for freshmen year, her world is turned upside down.

Everything Annie could count on for stability is shattered, and she's left feeling more alone than ever before.

Just when she's about to lose all hope, someone unexpected swoops in and gives her a much needed lesson in perspective.

GO BUY IT!  I will be showing this off all week on the blog....mad love!

Friday 5

It has been one cold, cold week here in North Carolina.  I hate winter.  I hate snow.  I hate ice.  I think Frozen was a stupid movie.  Today I take you to my happy place....Pinterest and the search word "spring".....

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1.  This is ironic.  My favorite flower is the tulip....when I see tulips I think spring but the crap deal is its actually a late winter flower.  Who cares....pastel and beautiful end of winter is much better than dead of winter.

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2.  Isn't that the sweetest little thing.  It wouldn't make it on my door but I have the perfect spot for it.  I bet my friends Amy or Heather could whip this right up.

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3.  I want him or her.  Nothing shouts spring in your face like a lamb.  Oh my gahhhh get him to me now!

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4.  When its spring you can sit here and not freeze your butt off....you can have friends pull up a chair with you and enjoy the elongated sunshine hours....

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5.  Winter strips my soul a little.  It makes me not look forward to much and it makes my smiles less frequent.  It is not my season.  Give me warmth, sunshine, and the threat of blooming flowers and I am rejuvenated and ready to go.  Spring reminds us of life.....live it up.

Stuff & Things &(I think) Thursday

  

Um yep...I think (of stuff and things)....

....It is Lent and we didn't give up a thing.  Oh man.  I mean I know I still have time.  I always try to give up something to help me look better for warmer weather.  Maybe I'll give up white sugar.....hahahahahahahhahaha oh my gahhh I make myself laugh.

....I hate winter.  No, I don't think that I know that for a fact.  I really thought we could make it out of this winter without any snow or ice.  Gahhh I was so wrong.  Monday afternoon we had the sleet....the snow....the freezing rain.  Tuesday it was stil all over the place so school was cancelled (thus work) and guess what its been that way every day of the week so far.

This is the screen saver on my phone.

....We are going to re-model our camper. (I think!)  Forget the stupid winter let's focus on spring and summer and happiness.  We love to camp and a few weeks ago I was over at The Pop Up Princess and lets face it she gave me the bug to remodel our little pop up.

....Last weekend was the best weekend I have had away from my kids and just with my spouse in like ever.  I love the fact my husband is a class a shopper and I love the fact that he's mine.  We really enjoyed everything about our weekend and look forward to another one soon.

....You should check out The Carolina Opry at Myrtle Beach.  Look, I thought it was for old people....a cheeseball show with below par acts.  We went and it was actually really good....like really good.  The music was awesome and comedy was funny.  Ther was just one girl I couldn't watch sing because she reminded me of a Kristin Wig character.  For reals.

....I want some fresh flowers and I want a manicure.  I was bummed Harris Teeter was out of their tulips when we stopped in on Sunday.  I wanted to cry (secretly).  By the way Food Lion where are your pretty flowers at this year?



....I may need to try the cold Starbucks Caramel Macchiato thing I found at Harris Teeter in the cold coffee section...has anyone else tried it?  Its skinny too!!!

....I could so work at Starbucks.  Dare I say we have the best one ever in Clemmons, NC?  I think I dare to say it.  The employees are fabulous and so sweet and kind and funny.

....I love working with high school kids.  They are often times overly dramatic and sometimes full of angst but they are pretty awesome and I love them to pieces.

....This week off is leading to a great time to pre-clean for the spring cleaning.  Yes, I also clean houses on the side so if you're interested contact me for an appointment to check it out and quote you a price.  (Shameless plug)



....Being a mama is getting real ya'll.  My daughter is on that edge of pre-pre-teen insanity and I'm being tested like non other.  Who gots da advice for me?

....I drank my last bottle of Handsome Devil.  To Target I go!






I kind of fused this blog post to fit two of my favorite link ups!  You should too Bloggy Babes!