Five on Friday

1.  So due to our recent upcoming, unplanned-for, large expense, I have been trying to buckle down with my expenditures, i.e. not buying stupid crap at Target or more clothes for the kiddos off Zullily.  I've also been trying to eat up everything in our freezer and pantry- lessening our load when we move, and saving money.

I had pinned this recipe on Pinterest, and realized that I had all the ingredients on hand.  Miracle of miracles.  I added mushrooms, doubled the artichokes (also, I used frozen), and tripled the seasoning- salt, pepper and Italian spices.  It was pretty tasty!

 2.   The Unauthorized Saved By the Bell Story coming to a TV near you on Lifetime Labor Day. I have nothing else to add (except hell to the yeah).

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3.  I have been searching for some darn Mu Shu Pork since the minute I recovered from my morning sickness with Deeds (so coming on a year now).  Unfortunately, there is nary a non-suspicious restaurant in my town that serves Mu Shu Pork anymore.  The really authentic place closed, P.F. Changs took it off their menu, and the remainder of the places in town are really sketchy.  I even drove out to the super suburbs to try a clean seeming place with high ratings that had Mu Shu on the menu.  It was super blah, tasted only of sodium, and I almost cried.  I was pregnant at the time, in my defense.  ANYWAY, some new place, Fulin's has opened up, and they actually have MU SHU PORK on the menu.  My enthusiasm is overwhelming!  At least to poor Morgan- he has been hearing me talk about Chinese food every few hours for two days now.  I'm getting it tonight, by damn.

It's in Nashville and a bunch of other places- are my high hopes unwarranted?  Have any of y'all eaten at this place?  Should I dash my dreams of the perfect plum sauce now?  How I wish that Saved By the Bell Lifetime movie was already out.  I would have a hot date with some Chinese takeout and my couch.

4.  I'm not really sure how to follow that ode to my quest for Mu Shu pork, but here we go.  I recently came across this study that babysitting grandkids helps prevent Alzheimer's and dementia. I immediately shared it with my mama, as I have been selflessly helping prevent her getting those diseases the past week or two.  With a busy work schedule, showing the house, and training to be a deacon, her dementia prevention is really going strong.  You are welcome, Mama.  I am so happy to help your mental health!*

5.  Through all this craziness and stress, I keep driving by the soon-to-be new house (fingers crossed, toes crossed, eyes crossed).  I know it will all be worth it.  And hey- the last couple of pounds of baby weight will likely melt off when I am subsiding off pinto beans for the next few years.

Speaking of houses, someone anonymous creepo commenter commented just my address on my house tour post yesterday.  Do you think that was some weird spam thing, or just a stalker-y weirdo?  I'm hoping the former.

Whelp, I better wrap up this incredibly random post- I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!  Thanks ladies for hosting the link up!

*Mama, in all seriousness, I could not have survived the past two weeks without you.  Thank you  bunches and bunches for all your help!!

Falling on the Face of the Earth

Apparently I have forgotten that I have a blog.  Life has gotten in the way, and I have not had a second to sit down to think, or cook, or browse the inter webs.

First it was vacation Bible school volunteer duties that were slowing me down.  Then in the middle of that insanity, my innate nosiness got the best of me, and I just had to see the inside of this house in my neighborhood which I have always loved.  Morgan and I walked into the house, and my first reaction was, "Oh, shit."  It was gorgeous, and comfortable, and "us" in every way.

I came home  full of dreams and schemes on how in the world I could swing the house.  Morgan confessed he was doing the same thing.  However, the plan has always been to move into my parents' house in a few years when they build a house on some adjoining property.  So, my dad admitted that he has no desire to move for at least another ten years, and we should seriously think about this house. We look at it again, make an offer which the sellers accepted, and all of the sudden we are under contract on our dream house.

At this point I was about to have a full blown panic attack.  List making and deep breathing is helping.  I got through a huge project at work last week then went into clean/purge/organize mode.  A week after going under contract on new house, our current house is on the market! (she crows not at all modestly). I'm exhausted, but in absolute wonder/fear of the lack of clutter in my house.  Miss Priss keeps asking for all of her various large pieces of plastic (her kitchen is being renovated, and her car is getting fixed- she seems satisfied with these responses).

We had a few showings yesterday before it was officially listed.  Packing up Buddy, Deeds and Dell Harper on short notice is a sweaty, hectic endeavor.  I had to wake both sleeping babies yesterday and get them out of the house for a last minute showing.  The definition of a motivated seller.  In case you are curious, putting your house on the market with a potty-training two year old, and a nursing baby is a rather stress-inducing proposition.  Hopefully the house will sell quickly!

So that's what it is happening with me.  Fingers crossed that everything will work out- I am a nervous wreck with all these happenings, but so amped up at the same time.

Five on Friday- Easing into Summer

So here is what is making our summer easy so far-

1.  Yard Dresses

So we are starting to get serious about potty training.  Bootcamp will start after vacation bible school next week, but action is happening.  Listening to my mama's advice, I got Miss Priss these darling long dresses from Target (buy one, get one 1/2 off).  She has been just wearing these with no diapers while we hang out at home (preferably outside).  

 Aren't they darling?   Find them here.  I want one in my size.  Anyway, I should have bought more, as there have been a lot of accidents so far.  Yesterday brought progress and some jelly bean dispensation though!

2.  Workout Shorts

These shorts looks super goofy in this picture, but they are so flattering on.  The bike shorts don't stick out as far from the over short as the picture.  I bought three pairs after realizing how practical and comfortable they are- especially for group fitness classes, when you don't feel like flashing everyone during floor work, yet also don't want to die of heat in capris.

3.  I mentioned this in my beach post, but we are in love with this playmat! My niece, Charlotte loves hers, but I didn't think I needed another activity mat.  I was wrong.  I love this one's less cumbersome size, and Deeds loves the the piano.  He kicks and kicks and kicks to make the music play.  I turned the sounds off to see if he realized he was making them with his feet.  He gave a kick, didn't receive the answering music and began to wail! Ha!  Anyway, he will spend a good 45 minutes on this thing without protest.  Worth its weight in gold!

Kick N Play Piano Gym

4.  Rash guard- find it here.  Toddler play involves a lot of leaning over.  Even with a high SPF, my fair skin is just asking to get a bit crispy on the shoulders and back. Enter this rash guard- it's a great material that actually keeps me cool in the sun.  My skin is protected from the sun, and for vanity purposes, my wobbly bits are nicely covered.  It is pretty flattering- doesn't cling to all the mess around my middle.

Plus, I feel super sporty in it.  Like I would paddle board or some such nonsense.  Although, looking at this picture, I need to channel those athletic feeling into doing some squats.

5 .  POOL TIME!!

 Look at DH and her buddy SiSi at the pool yesterday!

Deeds got to hang out in the nursery with his birthday buddy, Wilson.  I started dying laughing when I walked in and saw these little guys chilling out. I took the advice of several friends today and put Deeds in the nursery while I hung with Dell Harper at the pool. Soooo much better for all parties.  I could focus on her, so it was far more relaxing from a safety perspective.  Deeds wasn't hot and grumpy in the sun, and instead got to be held and swung. Win-win.

Now, I just need to find the perfect spray sunscreen for toddlers who won't stay still, and my summer will be truly easier!  Any suggestions?

Thanks ladies for hosting the linkup!  I hope y'all all have a lovely weekend.