What's Up Wednesday....

No graphic because I'm not linking up.  I almost forgot this post for September, shame on being busy and tired.

Here we go....



What we're eating...
Crock pot food....and everything on this post.

What I'm reminiscing about...
The good ole days when I wasn't ran ragged and my husband and I worked as a team in the evenings.  New schedules make that a thing of the past.

What I'm loving...









DVR.  Seriously, it is my wind down in the evenings after I get the kids to sleep and house straightened up.  Thank goodness for new episodes premiering last week and this week!

What I've been up to....
Work, mommydom, PTO stuff, house cleaning, ya know same ole jazz.

What I'm dreading...
Nothing.  Life is good, stressful but good.

What I'm working on....

This sounds weird but blogging less, saying "no" more, not feeling guilty for making some "me" plans.

What I'm excited about...
My husband having some weekend time off work.  A craft night date with my bestie later in the month - hopefully!  October in general.  It is a terrific month.

What I'm watching/reading...

Same ole same ole....RHOC, Ladies of London, Below Deck, ABC Wednesday Nights.  I am trying out this Downton Abbey thing.  The first one lulled me to sleep and the second one I could manage.  The only issue I have is after I watch it I have a Brit accent for an hour bahahahaha.
Reading nothing yet.  I downloaded a few freebies on the Kindle.  I doubt I read them though - I love books in the old fashioned form.

What I'm listening to....
Whatever is on the radio.  I haven't got into any new songs.  However, I did hear this song live on the I Heart Radio thing and I liked it.  Jordin Sparks flows so beautifully with Thomas Rhett on this song.

What I'm wearing...
Skirts, dress pants, skinny jeans and riding boots....
Blouses, button ups, t-shirts....
Cardigans....
I have made a list of things I need to purchase for another fall and winter.  I will gladly accept monetary donations LOL.

What I'm doing this weekend...
A Chili Cook Off....a birthday evening for a friend (Happy Birthday, Heather!)....church....chillaxing.

What I'm looking forward to next month....
Weekends with my hubby, a extra days off maybe for me, Halloween, the state fair, a crafting date with my bestie, maybe a not so psychotic weather pattern....

What else is new...
I'm boring. Nothing.

This Weekend In North Carolina...

It takes me three days to do these posts.  I get in weekend mode on the weekend for the next weekend.  Is that confusing?

OK here we go...

The BIG Event of the weekend is in Winston-Salem....



The Dixie Classic Fair runs October 2nd-10th at the fair grounds located behind the Lawrence Joel Veteran's Memorial Coliseum.  This is North Carolina's second largest fair and has loads of agriculture, rides, games, business expo center, tractors, cars, music, food, and the yester-year village.   Cassadee Pope is the headlining musician this year and will be there on Monday the 5th.  That 1980s/90s country band, Restless Heart will perform on Tuesday the 6th.  Contemporary Christian Band, Tenth Avenue North, will be playing the fair on Wednesday the 7th.  They have an opening band - Sidewalk Prophets.



While in Winston-Salem, stop by Old Salem for - Autumn in Old Salem; the food, flavor, and beautiful atmosphere that celebrates the Moravian Heritage of this city is not to miss event.

If you have kids who love some trains then let's go to Selma, shall we?



The 40th Annual Selma Railroad Days Festival runs October 2nd and 3rd.  Think fall festival with the addition of train fun.  There is a 5K coinciding with this event as well.  This event is sponsored by Zaxby's and features CMT Artist Bryan Mayer.

One of the most popular festivals in North Carolina is held every year on this weekend.



The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in North Wilkesboro is a huge festival featuring music, business, crafters, dance, and a bajillion things apple.  When I look back at my childhood this event pops into the forefront.  I enjoyed attending with my grandparents as a litty bitty girl and with my mom and dad as I got older.  Be ready for a crowd and wear your walking shoes.

October means corn mazes!  So let's go to Hamptonville.



Alpha & Omega Corn Maze is this weekend!  This is maze is perfect for groups or as a day trip.  Not only is it a corn maze but there is also a bounce pillow, obstacle course, bale maze, horse drawn carriage rides, inflatable bowling, corn box, and more.  Note:  The also welcome school groups.

A music series is starting up in Greensboro....



First Friday at Greenhill is featuring The Raving Knaves with the sounds of rock with mixed in R&B.  While you are there check out Micorcosm.  This study is of six artists and the mix of science an art.  This exhibition challenges you to look at science in a new way - is the bacteria of decay disgusting or actually quite a work of art...(perfect for the month of Halloween, no?).

Remember the country dude who got stuck on playing dead Annie's husband in all those music videos?



Travis Tritt is playing in Franklin this weekend.  He will be at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.  Check it out as I now hum everyone of his songs in my head....Here's a quarter call someone who cares.....tell me I was dreaming, that you didn't leave me here to cry.....I smell t-r-o-u-b-l-e.....just a modern day version of bonnie and clyde....it's a great day to be alive.....

Since it is Oktober....



The Maggie Valley Oktoberfest is going down this weekend up in those hills.  Beers, German food, stuff for kids to do while their parents eat sauer kraut and drink thick beer....all for $3 a head.

Tweetsie is a blast from the past and this month it is a spooky blast.



The Ghost Train is back in Blowing Rock.  Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a Halloween abyss.  $34 to go, children under 2 are free.

If you are into bluegrass music you should be in Raleigh this weekend.



IBMA's World of Bluegrass:  Wide Open Bluegrass is a two day event in the heart of Raleigh.  This event has two stages and many street-side and pop up performers picking, strumming, slapping, and singing the hours away.  If you are a picker or a grinner bring your instrument and join in the fun.  This is a very large event.

Meanwhile at the coast....



The NC Seafood Festival is taking place at Morehead City.  If you love fresh seafood and supporting NC Agri/Aqua/Sea business then get your gills to the beach.  Country music performer  Dustin Lynch will be performing at this event.  Professional chefs will be on hand to create dishes for you to try and will offer hands on experience in new ways to prep fresh seafood in your own kitchens.

*Fairs*



The Dixie Classic (see link at the top)
Moore County Fair
Wilkes County Fair
Wayne Regional
Cleveland County Fair
Robeson County Fair


Football

Your Thursday game is Miami v. Cincinnati....

Charlotte will play Temple on Friday.

Saturday kicks off with West Virginia taking on Oklahoma, should be a good one.
Va Tech & Pittsburgh have a Saturday opener spot...
As do NCSU and Louisville.  (Go PACK!)

Alabama and Georgia; Duke and Boston College; and UNC and G-Tech will meet at 3:30

Wake Forest Demon Deacs will play against fellow ACC members FSU Seminoles (let me congratulation FSU on their win a little early.)  This is also a 3:30 game.



Ole Miss is up against Florida at 7pm.
Arkansas will play the Volunteers in this time slot as well.

Notre Dame and them there Clemmy Tigers battle at 8pm.

And those professional boys in Charlotte....



The Panthers head to Tampa Bay to rub up on the Bucs.  Bahahahaha, I make myself laugh, silly kitties.

There's a jam pack list of fun, fairs, and football....

Get your planning on!

Monday, May I (Report & Get You GOING!)

Last week's goals:

1.  Etch out some mommy daughter time.

2.  Back to 14 miles this week.

And how it faired:

1.  Did it.  As reported in my H54F post.

2.  Epic failure.  Only got about 4 in.

Now let's get this week started with some positivity:

Let's Eat

Grab a fork and dig in.  It is tine for this week's food piece!

To celebrate fall, we pull out our crock pots!

Breakfast....

Now that it is officially fall you can trust the best apples are ripe.  You can also trust that this girl has oatmeal ready to go in the crisp mornings that autumn offers.  I love oatmeal, my kids love oatmeal, my husband doesn't eat, and my dog is all about any human food.

Apples and oatmeal go together like -



Overnight Apple Oatmeal

Two power foods melding together in your crock pot while you catch your beauty sleep - sounds perfect.  It does call for a bit more of the sugar and butter than you want for a heart healthy option.  Be smart and do some subbing - if you cannot have butter use a margarine or butter knock off.  For sugar you can sub in stevia or any other healthier option.

Lunch

I mentioned in August how awesome bento boxing is.  Last year the fad was salads in a jar.  Now I am loving the way bento is going a step further to "lunch bowls" - one bowl chock full of healthy and yummy food.  Though it may look like grown up food these are great for kids too.  My bowl pick for the week is Easy Burrito Bowls



I love how this will work great for dinner too!

Dinners

Last weekend we purchased an 8lb bag of potatoes.  This isn't normal for us.  Why did we buy an 8lb bag when we rarely eat potatoes?  Because it was cheaper than buying 4 single spuds.  My husband said, "You can make potato soup."

Smart man.

Slow Cooker Skinny Potato Soup


Slow Cooker Italian Chicken


Beef Tips in Mushroom Sauce


Happy slow cooking!!!

In The Know

Here's the recap of this week on the blog:

Monday was goals and television talk...hello premier week fall 2015!
Tuesday was pumpkin this and pumpkin that (to keep you in the know of why pumpkin is really good for you).  There was also some more tv in there.
What's Happening in NC this Weekend?  Click here to find out (every Wednesday I post it!)
Fall has hit so Thursday was a fashion post.
High 5's for Friday!

****

 Now are you in the know?

The know about mesothelioma.

Meso-what?  Oh what the commercials for the lawsuits are about?  Yeah, ok, whatever.

Meet Heather

Today is National Mesothelioma Awareness Day and in honor of it I want to share the story of Heather Von St James.

When she was 36 years old she had a lot going for her.  She was married, had just had her daughter, and life was going pretty smoothly for a new mom.  Then her life was altered forever.  She was diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer.

Her diagnosis came at a time when mesothelioma cancer was not something you heard about.  Her internet searches were filled with little, yet scary, information.  How would you feel if you were holding your new baby and being faced with having ten months left in your life?

Through amazing support and a passion to succeed, Heather received state of the art care and treatment. She was determined to live - and she did.

This year she is 10 years meso free.

Friends, this is more than a late night television commercial....this is real and happening right now.  Mesothelioma has to have more attention and exposure so those who are fighting it and who will fight it can have a chance at the rest of their lives.

That is Heather's survival mission.

This form of cancer is directly linked to asbestos exposure.

Oh well that was removed from sales many years ago.
My house was updated and all that was removed.
My employer wouldn't have it in our building.

Actually all of those assumptions are incorrect.

Asbestos is not illegal in this country and is very much still around.

30,000,000 - yes that is thirty million - pounds of asbestos is used yearly....

It can be found in schools, industry, and commercial buildings.

Oh and that place you call home?  If it wasn't constructed after 1980 then you are probably living with a lot of asbestos.  When we rennovated our home the first time we were alerted that the original ceiling tiles were asbestos tile.  Of course we found this out about five minutes after we pulled down two rooms worth.

Did you know that asbestos is found in household items?  If they deal with heat then the chances of them being built with asbestos is high.  Remember, many of the items we purchase are not American made anymore - different regulations for different countries.

Veterans of Naval Service have the highest chance of developing this cancer.

Here's the deal - this cancer is quiet because it affects (what science deems) a smaller population than other cancers at 7,400.  However, I think one diagnosis is one too many.

Join me as I raise awareness with Heather Von St. James about Mesothelioma Lung Cancer.  Get the word out and save a life.

Read Heather's Story Here

Get more information on Mesothelioma here

H54F (yeah acronym that!)

Another week has slipped by and I'm just like....WINE GIVE ME WINE!  Oh well here's five random things from this week that I have loved, not loved, and decided upon.  Oh and an extra number six too!




1.  New Glasses!

My sweet girl entered the world of spectacle donning last weekend.  She was so excited to get her glasses last weekend.  I must admit the vision issue is a gene from her mama.  Here's praying and hoping her eyes do no end up as bad as her mama's :(  #cokebottlesforrealyall

2.  Therapy for me....

I have a secret.  I love refinishing furniture.  My husband and I have these old 1970's crap nighstands.  I hated them with a passion.  Last weekend I took it upon myself to finally refinish them (I've only been saying I would for about seven months).  Knowing that good weather is quickly fleeting I grabbed my sanding supplies and paint and went to work!  I'm very happy that I could use leftover materials from last year's unhappy event to make these babies look so much better!  I only spent $14 on new hardware.  #yeahididthat

3.  I froze in summer.



Really.  Monday was still the summer season and this girl froze her tail off.  It was about 67 degrees and I was in a hoodie.  I better adjust.  #floridaineedyou

4.  Awesome Wednesday!



My daughter and I had a lovely afternoon, just the two of us, on Wednesday.  It was her early release from school so we ventured to Target and spent well over 90 minutes in that piece.  I think we looked at everything in the store and bought some fun Halloween/Fall stuff from the dollar bin.  She was so fun to be with!  Yes, she's growing up and that is tough but this trip was excellent and one I've been thinking about all week.  We wrapped up our girl's afternoon with a trip to Sweet Frogs and met my second bestie Jen.  She happened to bring a long her boyfriend's daughter and I'm happy to report she and my little lady hit it off phenomenally!  For mom friends you know that is a huge score! #mommyhoodrocks

5.  Time Management 101.



I feel like I need that course again.  The past two weeks have had me out of sorts.  This week I was ready to bawl my eyes out.  I decided it is time to readjust my schedule and that means the blog is going to 3 days a week posting.  Wait, no maybe 4 but not six anymore.  I love blogging and find it to be a great outlet for me.  However, life is saying to get the scissors out and start trimming some things.  I plan to keep my Let's Eat posts going, Wednesday's NC posts, and of course these High Five posts going. #aintnobodygottimetogocrazy

6.  One to grow on :)



Today is my Aunt Sue's birthday.  I've sung her praises before on the blog but she deserves them again and again.  Words cannot express how valuable she is to our family and everyone who knows her.  She is a truly selfless soul who gives and gives.  My kids and myself love her to pieces and we want her to have a wonderful birthday!
On Sunday my grandma will turn 89 years old.  Though she battles Alz/Dementia this is also a celebration.  We love her so much and she means the world to all of us (even if we are strangers now).  In honor of her birthday I am posting the link to the End Alzheimer's Walk I am participating in.  In her honor of the honor/memory of someone you love consider a gift $5, $8, $20 it does not matter!  Let's End Alzheimer's so that the future will be clear and full of beautiful memories!

#endalz

Here's that link.

Fall Means Shopping

If you live in North Carolina then you understand the idea of transitional fashion pieces.  Here's the deal:  We can wake up to a chilly morning that extends its chilly self out to the lunch hour or thirty minutes past.  By 1:30 PM it is about 95 with a humidity around 90 percent.  Then comes the post dinner hour and you're running to get a jacket because the chill from the morning has returned.

I call it psychotic weather disorder.

The cool part about it is we can stretch our most loved summer apparel out a bit longer than the season lasts.  The crap part is that those summer neons look a little odd on a thirty-three year old girl who is trying to bring some fall in with burgundy, mustard, and olive.

So, naturally, fall means shopping.

This year I'm using some summer pieces and saving up for some shopping for other pieces.  Here are my favorite Pinterest find looks for the fall.

The white tee from the summer, the boots from last year.  All I need is a new pair of leggings and a chambray top.  Note:  I have always hated chambray but this look has grown on me.

I think this is the outfit we can all pull off from shopping our own closets.

I just love a good shirt dress.  Do you have one from spring or summer that can you match with fall accessories?

This feels more like winter to me but I would bring in some browns in place of black and some cabernet in place of red...sign me up I want it now.

Weekends will look more like this....

Well I like the first three...you can keep the tribal prints.

So true, I need it in my closet :)

What is your fall shopping list and or closet shopping list looking like?

All these pins can be found on my Fall 2015 Pinterest Board!  Check it out!

Follow Amanda's board fall 2015 on Pinterest.

This Weekend In North Carolina....

There is a lot going on this weekend in NC....no reason for you to be bored!  Here's a run down.....










Winston-Salem - The Yadkin River Keeper is hosting a Clean Water Weekend that also features the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.  This environmental film festival is the largest of it's kind in the country.  This event will be held at SECCA (South Eastern Center for Contemporary Art) on Saturday and will feature films, music, food, art and more.  Sunday the party changes gears and becomes The Yadkin River Clean Up & Celebration of World Rivers Day.  This is a paddling event that will include river clean up, food, music, paddling of course, and a celebration of the end of the season.  This event is taking place at Carolina Heritage Winery in Elkin, NC.  Click here for more information on this fun weekend with the River Keeper.

 West Jefferson - Do you love cuddly creatures with long necks?  Yes, that sounds strange but....this weekend in West Jefferson is National Alpaca Farm Day!  This event will be held at Landmark Farm in Grassy Creek.  Not only will you see the alpacas but you will learn about how they are a valuable piece of our society through the fiber community.  Bring your pocketbook and get a headstart on Christmas shopping in the store.  (Side note:  I once remember hearing that some Alpaca hair was worth $8 an ounce.  Now that was years ago but hello alpaca!)

Burnsville - In case you weren't aware, we are all in some festival season fun in North Carolina.  Burnsville is hosting their Old Timey Fall Festival this weekend.  This festival is about all things, well, "old timey" like tractors, cars, artisans, and music.  Come out to see classically restored autos and farm equipment and hear bluegrass (is it old time too?).  Burnsville is located in Yancey County (36 miles from Asheville and 50 from Johnson City, TN.)

Murray's Mill - This weekend is the Harvest Folk Festival in Catawba County.  Learn the rich history of the county that holds the place we purchased socks from when I was growing up (Newton) and also has our little big town (Hickory).  There will be agriculture and historical fun and facts on hand.  Come out for the petting zoo, classic cars and equipment, demonstrations and more.  There is a $5 admission charge to this festival.



Wilkesboro - I am realizing that Wilkes is making the post weekly now and that is pretty cool!  No, I'm not from Wilkesboro but my best friend is from there!  Go Wilkes on having some cool events.  Now on to the event this weekend:  Carolina in the Fall (A Music & Food Festival) this event celebrates the heritage of Western NC thought music (probably bluegrass), food, and drink.  Over 100 chefs, musicians, winemakers, and brewers will come together to create a weekend you will not want to miss.  This event takes place at the Old Courthouse Square and musical headliners are The Kruger Brothers, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Balsam Range, The Secret Sisters, Mipso, and Barefoot Movement.  ($15-$60 for tickets, children under 5 are free.)

Wilmington - Alright winos and beer guts....If you are in Wilmington this weekend you will want to sign up for the Cool Wine & Beer Walk in Downtown.  This event is hosted by Ziggy's By The Sea and will feature stops at 10 spots.

 Jarvisburg - The Crabdaddy & Wine Festival is this weekend at Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg.  Jarvisburg is across the waterway from Pine Island & Duck.  It is also close to Virginia Beach.

Ronda - Raffaldini is back in action this weekend (wine season is wrapping up, y'all).  However, this is more than a tasting and some food.  Raffaldini is opening up an entire day for the wine lover to experience winery life at it's most un-noted and the cultivation of the grapes.  Vine to Wine is a unique experience for $375.00 you get a full day on the winery and learn from the vitinist and his assistants.  The day will begin at 9:30 am and run until 7pm.  Included in your day will be a deluxe dinner of Italian fare paired with the appropriate Raffaldini wines.  This is a spectacular event for anyone interested in learning more about viticulture.

Fairs this weekend:


Chowan County
Pitt County
Caldwell County
Madison County

Football:



My Wolfpack won against Old Dominion last weekend, I was a happy camper.

This weekend:

NCSU travels to South Alabama
UNC plays Delaware
Wake Forrest hosts Indiana
ECU takes on VA Tech
App State plays Old Dominion
Charlotte will be at home against Florida Atlantic
South Carolina plays UCF
The Volunteers will take on the Gators
Georgia go against the Southern University Jaguars

Oh and the Panthers....

They will play the Saints at home.  They may have wins but they aren't playing very strong.