Pet Peeves

Knowing the most trivial facts about some is one of the things I find very entertaining with a marriage or close friendship.  Morgan HATES when you are in the turn lane at a red-light and the person in front of you (or 2-3 cars up) goes insanely slow and you miss the green arrow.  It just drives him bonkers- "Just selfish! No regard for others around them!".  Albeit, this is very annoying, but now I crack up when it happens, envisioning my normally calm husband's irate reaction.

My friend Leigh just cannot stand the sound of styrofoam rubbing together.  It just sets her teeth on edge.  There were lots of lake days when the sound of the disposable cooler in the backseat on the way to the boat dock would drive her into a frenzy.

Noises also get me- chewing ice (cruunnnch, cruunncch- makes me cold-sensitive teeth just ache in response), popping knuckles, etc.  My big one is televisions being left on.  I am always flipping off tis in my home, and mentally longing to in others' houses. Why is a TV blaring if no one is sitting down actively watching it?  Oh, it just irks me to death!   I just can't take the sound of a laundry detergent commercial when I'm trying to cook/clean/talk to my family or friends.  And, I know, it's incredibly common, and I'm in the minority on this one.  Don't worry, Morgan has informed me of this an infinite number of times.

What are the weirdest things that drive you/family/friends crazy?  I find people's pet peeves vastly entertaining.

Whew . . .

Well, a very intense work week is over, and I survived with my sanity intact.

As soon as my work deal wrapped up, I got busy prepping my house and arranging flowers for a baby shower I hosted on Saturday for a dear friend.

Morgan got my little mess-makers out Saturday morning, and I frantically cleaned and straightened before guests arrived.  It was a "don't open the (toy or master) closet" type of day.  Sometimes you just gotta shove everything in someplace. . .

After the lovely shower, I headed over to church for the annual Easter Egg Hunt to meet Morgan and the kiddos.  The petting zoo was a huge hit with both.  After Dell Harper walked around, said bye, and kissed each goat, llama, and bunny, the man working proffered hand sanitizer as we walked back out the gate.  I think we were beyond some hand sanitizer at that point.

Morgan picked up to-go food, and we took advantage of my temporarily clean house by having another couple and their kiddos over for a casual, impromptu supper.  Very cold champagne and company made the witching hour rather delightful!

The socializing didn't stop on Sunday- 2 birthday parties for my girl after church, then Deeds and Morgan joined us for a little picnic with my adult Sunday school class.   Miss Priss was asleep on the way home by 6:45, which is always delightful.  As much as I love to read, sometimes I just want to get in bed myself.

 Now it's time to regroup, get my life back together, and prep for an Easter Egg hunt happening here on Friday afternoon.  I'm not going to be giving up coffee or my beloved daily Diet Coke any time soon, that's for sure.

Back in the Swing

We took a last minute trip to the Beach Barn for spring break last week.  It was a wise decision, as I was nearing a nervous breakdown induced by lack of vitamin D.

 We loaded up my parents' van, loaded up snacks and toys, and hoped for the best with this stinker.  He cried the entire way there and back.  Grrrr.  Apparently riding in the car is Superbaby's krypotonite.

 First order of business?  Grocery, then the beach!

Morgan was busy trying to fix the internet and phone, so me and the kids hit the beach solo.  Clouds did not bother us a bit.  I was just so happy and grateful to be playing outside, as were the kiddos.

 Some friends joined us with their 4 and 2 year olds, which doubled the fun.

 Miss Priss was extremely depressed when her buddies left the day before we did.

 The babies loved the sand and (freezing cold) ocean.

 I was told by an observant couple on the beach that Dell Harper is a "real firecracker who just has the best time".  As you may expect, I'm fully aware of this- the girl has a blast in whatever she does- a ball of enthusiasm.  The high school years will be really fun I'm sure. . .

Speaking of high school years, all the spring-breaking teens stressed me out to no end.  Our house even got egged!  What's the fun of egging a random vacation house of people who are completely unknown to you?

Ha, Morgan and our friend were biking by a big group of teen girls, who slowed down to a stop to check out who was rolling up.  Upon seeing the guys, they disappointedly snorted "Oh, it's just a couple of dads!" and cruised away.  Thanks for making me laugh for a week straight, 15 year old girls!

 It was a lovely trip- made even better by the unexpected pleasure of getting away of a whim. Oh, and we got to have an adult night!  Caliza for drinks and appetizers, then Havana at the Pearl for a fabulous dinner.  If you want a babysitter in the 30-A or Destin area, definitely give Precious Ones Nanny Care a try.  Our sitter was wonderful- cleaned the rug when DH had an accident, found towels, ran laundry and the dishwasher, as well as writing down all the events of the night/everyone's bedtime/etc.

Now back to school, routine, and work.  Anxious to get a busy workweek behind me, gear up for hosting a fun baby shower, then Easter celebrations.  Thankfully the beach was just the break I needed.

Inspirations

I'm dragging a bit today after a lovely girl's night out for a friend's birthday last night. So I'm not up for tackling my long-planned post on attempting to wear real clothes (as opposed to workout wear), and instead a Pinterest dump is happening.  Bring on the pretties!

These cookies are calling me to make them immediately. . . the approach of bathing suit season be damned.

Oatmeal, coconut and dark chocolate equal health food, correct?

This tutorial promises to make me hair look like this-

I think they are overestimating my abilities, but worth a try.

I'm dying to get in my dining room (LOL) and try my hand at an oversized triptych like this beauty by Christina Baker from the Pink Pagoda's entry makeover.

And now that we are (fingers crossed a million ways) past any freezes, I'm longing to pull up my dead plants and get to work on my containers.  I'm not doing any of my beds yet, because I'm not sure what's going to come up- first spring in a new house is sooo exciting! There is added pressure for my yard to look beeee-youtiful because we are on the Dogwood Trail. This entails people driving by my house to look at my yard.  Nervous sweat is beading on my forehead as I type.

I'm liking the look of this container combination- I just adore calladiums and the pop of red from the begonias.

Now off to clean during nap time.  I'm trying to get organized.  It's stressful- not a natural state for me, I must admit.

Five (Finds) on Friday

Well, judging my the packages arriving at my doorstep, I have had a case of the Feburaries big time this year.  And shopping has helped.  Normally, I dislike "here's what I have bought" posts, because who has the disposable income to keep that kind of nonsense up?  However, I have found some steals lately that I just have to share:

1.  Safavieh Gourd Lamps:

Yay for Overstock!  I have been stalking Homegoods and Tuesday Morning for lamps for several months.

I found these beauties and love, love, love them!

 Aren't they purty?

Then these made their way to the family room.

 I was planning on returning one set, but liked them so much (and loved that price so much!), that they are going to stay.

 Miss Priss really enjoyed the boxes (naturally), as well as the Styrofoam which is now crumbled across my house (grrr).

 2.  Leggings-

Get yourself to a Kohl's right now and get these amazing leggings.  Assets Red Hot Label by Spanx Pintuck Legging.  They come up high enough to hold in your tummy!  And therefore don't show off your plumber's crack when you bend over to pick up toys for the millionth time of the day.

Super cool mom outfits, right?  I should stick to workout clothes.

 AND. . .they are on sale for $15 marked down from $50.  It's $20 online but $15 in stores.  I went BACK to a store to buy another pair with children in tow.  It takes a lot for me to mount that kind of operation, but these leggings are worth it.

3.  In other pants news, yesterday I took my children mall-walking, food court Chipolte consuming, and elevator riding to get us out of the house.  It was yet another snow day (#10 in the past 3 weeks), yet there was zero snow or ice.  Anyhoo, I was perhaps feeling a bit sorry for myself.  I realize it is March, but I'm still in February mentally.  I was lured in by these pants at JC Penney as I cruised its wide aisles with the double stroller in an attempt to occupy another few minutes on our way to the car.

This is branching out for me, but I think I'm a fan.  And $20 is the perfect price point to branch out.

4.  Scarves:

Back to Kohl's (I go in for kids' mittens and this is what happens after days and days of being cooped up in the house), I found so many darling scarves.  Like the one above! For under $10! This one- wore with leggings and a cream blouse to supper club, this one worn with red swingy top and leggings to a birthday dinner, and this one which I wore with pink sweater, black skirt and tights to church.  It was a great way to reinvigorate my tired old closet (which desperately need to be cleaned out and organized- see above.)  Note- a lot of those links say online only.  This in untrue.  I bought them in store, and they were even cheaper than the online price.  Way to step up your game Kohl's!

 5.  Finally, while walking through Sear's on said mall expedition, I found these darling Land's End workout tops.  I had a coupon, so they ended up being half price.  They are a super soft stretch cotton, and flattering without being revealing or restrictive.  I wore one for my exercise that afternoon!

So now it's March, and I need to get back to shopping my closet and making no unnecessary purchases.    Good deals aren't so good if you don't need the stuff, right?  I just love a bargain, though.  Hopefully I will be outside with my children instead of trapped in my house seeking solace in online purchases or wandering aimlessly through the mall. . . everyone needs a dream, right?

Thanks as always to the lovely Five on Friday ladies for hosting the linkup!

In and Outs

In:  Roasted chicken with creamy leeks and dill-

 This delicious roasted chicken from Eating Well magazine.

 We had it for dinner last night, and it is wonderful!

Out:  The weather forecast.  I can't handle any more school closures.  My desk is a nightmare, and I'm soooo behind still.  Plus I don't want to have to force my children to leave the house and have dance parties at Chick-fil-a again.

In:  This excellent book I just started after a trip to the library yesterday.  Fascinating!

 Out:  Dirty floors.  Muddy dog paws, children, food and leaves tracked in and out.  A friend recommended the Shark steam mop.  Any other fans?

In:  My new cozy pjs from Target.  Is it time for bed yet?