the bottomless cup - mamahood in arizona

Holy Tomatoes!

2020-11-11T17:12:00.000-06:00

Holy tomatoes you guys! How has it been over a year since I have posted anything? Falling down on the job is obviously something I am really good at. Lots of things have happened & changed since we spoke last, most noticeable, my hair. I went dark. REALLY dark. But no regrets at all.

Here's some other things that have happened since I've been here:

- I've moved fulltime into the IT Site Tech at school - with COVID & all the hybrid to remote needs, this position has become much more active & needed.

- We've made major investments into getting healthy. Between Damon & I, we are down about 75 lbs. Details coming with how we're doing it - no fad diets or long hours of cardio.

- We no longer dine out. Yeah, you read that right. More details soon on this too - this may become a whole section on how to survive without the drive thru. I have so many go to recipes & meal ideas I use on those nights, when cooking is the last thing I want to do.

- Benjamin has braces! We knew it was only a matter of time, but sooner rather than later happened & here we are. 5 months in & the progress we have made already has been amazing.

I hope to carve out more time & make this place a thing again. I have some ideas & content that I'd love to share with you guys, but not totally sure if this will stay my lifestyle niche or go any specific direction.

Hope to share more soon!

My 2019 Reading Challenge Recap - Books 1-15

2019-07-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

It has been several years since college.

That was probably the last time I picked up a book and really read it from to cover to cover with the exception of maybe a Paula Deen or Ree Drummond book/cookbook. Not something I am particularly proud of. Reading more books has been one of those cliche items on my "new year, new you" lists & never did I really accomplish it.

Then Spring Break 2019 happened. Benjamin and I stumbled into the library one day & I quickly searched for something I might possibly be interested in reading. I may have had some help from some "hot read" articles on Google. After that I never looked back. I set a goal for myself & saw how quickly I was meeting that goal and bumped it up a little.

50 Books in 2019.

I am currently working on number 16. I have a ways to go, but at the rate that my library holds are becoming available, I shouldn't have any problems getting there.

A quick recap of the first 15 are below:

Clock Dance by Anne Tyler -Was a slow start, but I stuck with it. Wouldn't read again, but it was something to keep my interest for a few days.

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware- Great read & kept me guessing. Recommend if you want a good page turner.

The Address by Fiona Davis - I liked this book, but The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis is by far my favorite of these books.

In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It by Lauren Graham - A very, quick read by Lauren Graham and her graduation speech she gave at her alma mater. I enjoy Lauren Graham, so I had to pick it up.

Where Am I Now by Mara Wilson - Quirky & interesting to say the least.. Explains so much about Hollywood as a child. Looking for something to read? This is a good choice for a memoir if you remember her as Matilda.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris - stop & get this now. I absolutely loved this book & highly recommend it to anyone. Very well written & couldn't put it down.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy - Netflix movie is based off this book & I thoroughly enjoyed Willowdean, even if this is considered Young Adult.

Puddin' by Julie Murphy - This follows two classmates of Willowdean and their quest to friendship despite their differences. Prefer Dumplin' to Puddin' but still a good read.

All The Lights We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - Loved this one! It does go back and forth between characters, but I love the flow of the story & definitely the ending.

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis - Like I said above, this is my favorite of hers so far. If you enjoy Historical Fiction, add this to your list.

The Secrets You Keep by Kate White - This is another page turner that I totally recommend; had trouble putting this one down. Keeps you guessing & wanting more.

Watching You by Lisa Jewell - Just when you think you have the answer, you are proven wrong. If you can tell, I like the psychological thriller books.

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks - I was unsure of this book when I first started, but the momentum picked up pretty quickly & had me asking some many mind game questions.

Next Level Basic by Stassi Schroeder - I checked this out because VPR is a guilty pleasure & it's Stassi's book.. I thumbed through it pretty quickly because, it is a reality star book. No life changing material here, but a fun read about being your best self.

Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham - I am 100% obsessed with the Gilmores, so any chance to read about the face behind Lorelai, I will. If you haven't done the same, I suggest picking this up to get a glimpse of the ever ramblings of Lauren pre & post Gilmore.

Now to get going on the 6 currently in my possession, plus all the others patiently waiting for me at the library.

Are you an avid reader? Have any suggestions for me? Maybe its one already on my list. We shall see. Stay tuned for my next 15. Until then, find me on Goodreads!

Top 5 Affordable, Indoor Activities for Kids During Summer

2019-06-27T13:12:00.000-05:00

Summer, we've been going at it for like 30 days now. Maybe a few more. We've been enjoying the warmer days, because hello, swimming. I find myself to be that mom who can't wait for swim season since its something fun & outdoors to do that will wear the kids out. Then swim season arrives & I've got a case of the "it's too hot, let's do something inside" syndrome. Can I get an amen?

Good thing that I have an on-going list of fun things to do during summer break.

After I typed that sentence, Benjamin asked when his new video games were going to be here. He picked some up with tooth fairy money & he's still in the age group that believes delivery from anywhere in the USA is same day. July 1st, y'all. Let the angry, 6 year old image take shape for a moment.

Now that I have talked him off the ledge, I think, let's get back to fun summer things, can we?

We haven't ventured into the world of summer camps yet. I, personally, think most of them are overpriced, but once he gets a bit older & has a passion for specific topics, like science, then we may enroll him in one to help break up the summer.

Our top favorites stay pretty consistent & you will see why. Below are our top 5 affordable, indoor activities for your kids during summer:

1. Summer Movie Clubs: Check you local theater for details. We have a handful of theaters locally & each of them have a different movie schedule & start times, which makes it convenient if we have other commitments. Movies range from $1-$2 per movie, but theaters also usually offer a punch card with huge savings.

2. Library: I am a huge advocate for the library for many reasons. First, your taxes are already paying for it, so you should take advantage of those resident perks. Most of your libraries have some sort of kids program, whether its year round things or only for the summer/school break times. Also, check to see if there are any kid library card perks; with Benjamin's card, he can access ABC mouse for free while at the library. #win Some of the summer activities we already have enjoyed include: magic show, crafts hosted by teen volunteers, balloon art class & read to a dog.

3. Kids Bowl Free: I have talked about this & shared photos to my Instagram stories, but if your kids aren't signed up for this yet, do so, now. We have done this twice so far & plan on going several more times, because free bowling, yes please! Check your local bowling alley once your signed up to see if they offer a lunch time special to go along with your card - our center offers a lunchbox for $6 and it includes their shoe rental & lunch.. So bowling, shoes, & lunch for $6! I do understand the more kids you have, the more expensive lunch can get, but its still affordable for fun treat.

4. Kids Skate Free: This option is similar to number 3, but rollerskating. We haven't checked this out, because our rink doesn't participate, but here is the link to see if it may be offered where you are located.

5. Camp Creativity: Kids meets Crafts! Michael's offers a fun, art filled sessions for kids 3 & up. Classes are $3 & the theme varies each week. Check the offerings & book your class here. Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up soon!

Do you have some summer activities that are always on your list? Share them below!
Now's let's do summer right & count down until school starts once again.

My Perfect Way to Celebrate the First Day of Summer

2019-06-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Happy First Day of Summer! Well yesterday. We have been summer for awhile now, well before the official start of summer, but that's Arizona for you. We aren't exactly known for our balmy temperatures, now are we? I will give ourselves credit; we are very good at finding the air conditioning though. Now you understand why we are at the library so much; a/c, kids activities and endless books. Yes, please.

Let's rewind really quickly though. Thursday, 4pm: Benjamin was begging to go swimming, but it was 104 & the sun was blazing, so it was a hard no from me. I did what a good mom did though, I offered to swim Friday morning.

I will admit something before we continue. It didn't even cross my mind that the first day of summer was coming up. My brain has somehow forgotten how to keep up with the random holidays & dates like that. Then after some early morning Instagram scrolling my brain caught on & I felt super proud; swimming on the first day of summer. Major mom win!

We were in our suits, water cups filled & poolside by 10am. It does help some that we have our own pool. It was a requirement on my home ownership in Arizona list. It also helps that Benjamin doesn't believe in sleeping in past 7 on a realllly good day.

And that is how we celebrated our first day of summer. Pretty stellar, I know.

But what if you don't have a pool? Don't worry, I have some solutions to help you beat the heat.

1. Find a friend with a pool. Now this might be a process. First, find that friend. Next, figure out the things they love most that you can attain: Starbucks, chewy sugar cookies, Chickfila, everything at Target, you get the idea. Then, butter them up real good with said items. Finally, when your friend is all happy, suggest a pool day. They will say yes, guaranteed. Boom, you're welcome!

2. Watch a really good Christmas movie. I'm not talking a cheesy, low rent kind. I'm talking a good classic, preferably with lots of snow in it. Serve up some Popsicles, ice cream or other yummy summertime treats & enjoy. Christmas movies always give me the cool weather feels. We may or may not have watched the newest Grinch before swimming to celebrate the first day of summer.

Don't judge us. We do the first day of summer hard. I kid, it just so happened to work out in my favor & I will take credit anywhere I can. It's what moms do, or at least this mom does.

Below are some more poolside photos from our day of solstice.

Peace out friends! Stay cool!

Grand Canyon - South Rim

2019-06-20T19:16:00.000-05:00

Venturing to the Grand Canyon has been on our Arizona road trips since we moved here a year ago. I mean, it is hard living here & not ever experiencing it. Yes, I just said experience, because it really is an experience.

I tried to imagine in my head what it would be like. I have seen several movies over my almost 35 years with the Grand Canyon in it & what I saw in person versus in the movie was totally different. For whatever reason, your head can't really wrap around how big & expansive the Grand Canyon actually is.

We allotted one of our days from our "Northern Arizona Tour" (more on that later) to seeing the Grand Canyon & with a 6 year old in June, I felt like it was totally an adequate amount of time. We spent 3 hours exploring the grounds & the south rim itself & already have on our agenda to go back. Next time though, we want to ride burros to the bottom. Yes, it's a thing! I would be okay floating the Colorado River through it to, but that's me.

One nice perk about the park, they have plenty of lodging, a market for all last minute grocery needs & dining options, if cooking isn't up your alley. There are also several lodging options just outside the park gates, along with a handful of dining options ranging from your trusty McDonald's to some mom and pop places & Starbucks. We actually got an Airbnb in Flagstaff for our entire tour stay, so it worked out perfectly driving in for the day.

A few of my favorite photos from our first Grand Canyon trip are below.

If you don't take any ledge standing pictures, did you actually even go to the Grand Canyon?

See more of our travels here.

Apple Picking

2018-10-26T13:14:00.001-05:00

Apple Orchards... Visiting one has always been on my autumn bucket list, but living in Texas, not something I had ever been able to check off. I'd like to blame the completely unpredictable weather & terrible soil conditions.

Then moving to Arizona happened.

We heard about Apple Annie's shortly after moving to Arizona & quickly added to our activities list. It's about an hour and half east (ish) from us & the weather is much different than where we are in Tucson, so it's a nice retreat for the day. It was about 15 degrees cooler the day we went & holy gosh, it was glorious.

Apple Annie's is actually two locations, one with the orchards & the other with vegetable fields & pumpkin patch; only separated by a few miles. We did both a couple of weekends ago, but I only got really good photos at the orchards, because well, I was completely smitten with all the gourds and pumpkins.

Some photos from our day:

Top notch picking skills. I am still working through all the apples and pears that we picked.

Besides picking, they have food for purchases, including their super tasty, hot & fresh cider doughnuts. I ate way too many & have been thinking about them ever since.

Rows and rows of sunflowers!

If you are in the area, be sure to stop by for a visit. Picking supplies are provided: wagons, wheelbarrows, clippers, produce bags.

Seasons Are Changing

2018-08-21T15:46:00.004-05:00

Wow. Ok. I have quite a bit of explaining to do. This blog of mine has taken a backseat to my life lately & now I find myself picking it back up, but with plenty of questions for myself.

Life in our household has been going through many changes over the last couple of months.

We are finally settled in our house. We are finding our pace & learning all the quirks of our new hacienda. The love/hate relationship I have with my dishwasher is a good one for another day.

We are also experiencing the monsoon season & I am rather fond of the storms that Arizona can produce. I am also quickly figuring out where everything is & places I love & love to hate.

We also started Kindergarten! This has been our biggest hurdle. While we have experienced several bumps getting going, we are learning what works & doesn't work for Benjamin in terms of getting over mom not being there with him. It's a struggle. I also find myself learning to find myself.

The last 5 1/2 years have been completely dedicated to being a mom. Practicing our numbers, baths, saying please and thank you & always having a sidekick is something I had become accustomed to. Now I'm having to learn new ways. I find myself pondering what to do with myself without this new found freedom; cleaning & tidying has become somewhat cathartic to me. It helps pass the time. But now I find myself volunteering for the school & trying to find my place. I also find myself trying to put myself out there more & make some mom friends. That has to be the roughest thing everrrrrr; finding a new tribe a 1000 miles from your old one.

So yeah, things are changing, emotions are strong. And this blog has been moved back to the frontseat to get some more one on one attention. I'm not totally sure where I want to take it yet. Before it felt like a jumbled mess to me & now I feel like it needs direction; solid direction. I don't want to be a food blog or a DIY blog or anything specific, but it needs clarity. Give me some, give me some feedback.

I love sharing my menu planning & how that works so well for us, but don't expect to see me laying out food posts regularly. I feel like this should be motherhood & making it through life the best way I know how: lots of valor, lots of water, coffee & lots of hugs from my little. Bear with me.

Rabbit Pirate War w/ Rabbit Pirates

2018-06-08T17:08:00.000-05:00

One thing I have enjoyed most since moving into (& getting settled) into our new house, is the fact that we can get back into a routine of life. Part of our routine involves quite a bit of entertainment for Benjamin throughout the day; if he had things his way, we would be playing a board game the minute my feet hit the floor in the morning. Have I mentioned that this Arizona sun wakes me (& him) up realllllllllly early? I'm pretty sure I have mentioned this quite a few times on social media.

One of the games that we recently discovered was Rabbit Pirates, which can be found on Amazon! This game was created by a math teacher who wanted to insert math outside the classroom, while having fun at the same time. Rabbit Pirates is a very simple, easy to grasp game that we will be pulling out of a closet for many game nights & days to come.

For 2-4 players, each player selects a Pirate & begin loading their cannons. I like being Scrapper, because, it seems completely fitting for a pirate with the name Scrapper. Rules are simple; each player gets 3 cards on each hand and lays them facing down to "battle" other pirates. The winning card from each battle, wins a token. All tokens have point values & are tallied after all are won. Highest tally wins.

I giggled once I finally caught on that all the cannon balls are a sort of ball in our vocabulary. I'm pretty sure the meatball is my favorite, for obvious reasons.

This game is aged for 7+, which is appropriate for the math portion at the end.

Here are some fun game play photos below..

Benjamin won the game with the most token value; he was pretty proud that he got the most 50 point tokens. I managed to get all the negative value tokens, which he found amusing.

Does your family have game nights or incorporate them into your daily routine? Be sure to give Rabbit Pirates a look when selecting your next game. Also, be sure to check them out on Facebook! #RoosterFinGames

Thanks to my sponsor, RoosterFin, for supplying the free product to help me write this post today!

Mother's Day Gift Guide for 2018

2018-05-09T09:33:00.000-05:00

Holy Wednesday before Mother's Day guys! You know when you plan things & then you blink and boom, its here?? Yep. I am blaming all my chaos on buying a new home, being semi homeless & not having a normal routine.

But have no fear, your Mother's Day gift guide is here! There's still to order and receive for your special mama.

Our Mother's Day plans are probably spontaneous, but I like it that way. I ran around like a hot mess mom yesterday trying to get my mama's package shipped off to her. But after several lines & running in circles, it got shipped.

Here is a list of some great gift items for your mama; whether she loves the kitchen, fashion or needs a little downtime (because hello, you!).

Gold Mama Necklace // 24 karat gold & the perfect accessory to show off her proud mama self

Coffee Pot & Cup Set // Who doesn't love Magnolia these days? This coffee pot/cup combo is perfect for a morning cup to start her day or an afternoon pick me up before wine time.

Less Stress Bath Bomb // Um because what gift isn't complete these days without a bath bomb?

Jacqueline Hybrid Smart Watch // Insert heart eyes. I don't have a smart watch, but if I did, I would want something snazzy like this leather Fossil one.

Ralph Lauren Floral Scarf // Tie to your purse or wear as an accessory, I firmly believe scarves never go out of style. Arizona will eventually cooperate & I can wear some of mine (that and my POD will arrive)

Rose Gold Keds // These sparkly beauts have been on my wishlist for sometime. Maybe when Benjamin is 18, moved out and can no longer step all over my shoes while walking.

Women's Aviator Sunglasses // Like scarves, you can never own too many sunglasses. If I didn't have a prescription, I would probably own them all. Don't judge me.

What do you plan on buying your mama for Mother's Day this year? Drop them in the comments below!

You can see all my other gift guides here.

KiwiCrate: April Box

2018-05-08T15:38:00.000-05:00

I thought I was the one who got most excited about receiving fun things in the mail. Then Benjamin was born. He lives for checking the mail to see if any surprises or fun mail come addressed to him. I have to guard my own things with my life, or he will rip right into them. Joy of children right?

So receiving a subscription to KiwiCrate was icing on the cake for him. KiwiCrate is something Damon and I had looked into for him in the past & we were thrilled when he received it as a Christmas gift.

KiwiCrate is a STEM based subscription box for kids 5-8 years old, but don't worry, they have different box subscriptions for all ages, even babies! Benjamin is my science kid & he is pretty convinced Kindergarten is all day science experiment making. Who wants to break the bad news to him? April was our last month for the gift & we just renewed it for 6 more months of fun; they have multiple subscription options as well.

Each month's box comes with about three activities surrounded around a general theme; April is Ultraviolet Light & he couldn't wait to dig in. We made the Color Changing Bead Bracelet & spent plenty of time playing with the special light provided to watch the beads change color. I'm pretty sure right now we could walk outside and it change itself; May in Arizona for ya. This activity is great for hand, eye coordination, threading those beads!!

Parenting tip: Stretch out the activities between the arrival of each box, so you have STEM activities throughout the month!

Any guesses for what May's box might be? Benjamin always tries to guess the next month's box; we haven't been right yet.

For more information about KiwiCrate, other box options or to receive $10 off your first subscription, click here! These make great gifts for your kids, family members or friends!

Discover Arizona: Trail Dust Town

2018-04-30T13:40:00.001-05:00

Tucked away in a little piece of Tucson is the cutest Wild West town on this side of El Paso; well that we have found so far. This has been on our to-do list since we moved to Arizona two months ago, & this past Saturday night, we checked it off our list.

We drifted back to the days of cowboys, saloons & stunt shows while speeding away on a 1950's carousel. Trail Dust Town is made up off a square of shops, shows & even a little haunt geared towards all ages; however any attraction with haunt in it is sure to turn this mom off. Nope, not happening.

Pinnacle Peak is their steakhouse/saloon & we made sure to eat our weight in cowboy fare while we were there; steak, brisket & plenty of ranch beans to go around. And when you're done eating (or even before you do) make sure to head to the Trading Post, to pick up plenty of wooden nickels for activities.

Below are some pictures from our evening.

Anyone else find the fun "carnival" novelty in fortune tellers? I'm a sucker.

^^ Benjamin's first slap bracelet, I think. He is so enamored with this thing.

Besides the food, the carousel won me over. It sped along much faster than any carousel I had ever been on & the breeze felt so amazing blowing through my hair. I may have felt 10 again.

Another win? They decorate for Halloween & Christmas. You better believe I will be back.

For more family adventures, click here.

Fresh From Arizona: A Quick Update

2018-04-26T13:35:00.000-05:00

Holy Mylanta guys!! It has been so long since we posted last. There have been quite a few changes since I posted last & I can't wait to share everything with you.

We are in Arizona!! Tucson to be exact & this change has been such a rollercoaster, but I don't ever want to leave our glorious mountain views. The Google Maps lady is currently my best friend as I am learning to navigate, but with time I will figure it out.

We've been bunking with family until we find our perfect home & after lots of headache, we found one! I have been a Pinteresting fool, eagerly waiting to get in there and decorate it. We finished our inspections & our now eagerly waiting for our closing day, so we can move into our new digs and really get life back to normal. This house is perfect for us & everything we were looking for; major win! Think pool parties, patio dinners & a glorious walk in pantry y'all!

I really want to get a hashtag going on Instagram for our house posts, but need a catchy name for our digs. I currently use #haciendadegregg; is that catchy enough? Either that or maybe #the1986hacienda.

Thanks for being patient with us while we get settled. More fun coming soon!

My Moment of Yes!

2018-01-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WellYes2018 #CollectiveBias

I turn 34 this year y'all! 34! While that may not seem terribly old or terribly young, it really has given me this thought of "Wow, basically 35, which is halfway to 40!" 40!! Holy, let's go jump out of an airplane!

Once I turned 30, I think I blinked one good blink & hello 2018 & impending 34. Seriously, where there heck did the last four years go? Oh yes, I remember now; Benjamin. My body & overall health had become a back burner issue in the last five years & I'm pretty sure we can all say that as parents (if you're a parent.) I'm not really sure when I went to the dentist last (eek!); don't judge me. I also am not totally sure the last I actually saw myself participating in an exercise routine, unless chasing a child counts as cardio.

I sometimes find myself wincing in the bathroom mirror at those fine lines that have begun appearing, thinking "where did those bad boys come from." And other days, I wonder how we managed to get through a meal time without complete chaos. But these are the days I live for; these are what being a mother & 34 are all about.

2018, is my year of living for myself & living for the #wellyesmoments. Putting myself first & taking time for those routine doctor visits, finding time for a quick walk around the neighborhood & overall getting my body into the best shape, physically & mentally, its seen since the days of child free living. Part of living intentionally also includes making better choices when it comes to mealtimes & Well Yes!® Soups fit right in.

Crafted with purposeful ingredients, Well Yes!® makes living for a better me in 2018 easier than I thought. Easy to enjoy at home or in the office, Well Yes!® is offered in 14 different flavors made with non-GMO ingredients to give me the fuel I need to say yes to living the mom moments, feeling the best I can & living 34 fully, so when 80 arrives, I feel like 60.

What does your 2018 look like? To live the #wellyes2018, pick up Well Yes!® Soups at your local grocery store, so you too can achieve a better you in 2018.

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Life Lately

2018-01-11T13:59:00.002-06:00

I was browsing through photographs earlier this week & saw so many that captured some of our fun moments during the holidays & since. Our house was full of houseguests, feasting & while it was great having everyone here, we are a little glad to have our lives back into a routine.

We just started school back for the Spring semester, got Benjamin registered for baseball & booked a birthday party. Ahhhhhhhh! And I cracked a book!

Here's a drop of some of my favorite moments from the past few weeks; these aren't the best quality (I'm sorry!):

Benjamin got a new game (among others) at a holiday dinner & we have played it more times than we can count.

Calm before the "Santa brought me a bike" storm.

We discovered a little bowling alley a few towns over & its now a new favorite place. We even booked Benjamin's birthday here in a few weeks.

We've been busy playing with all our new toys & things; one of which is his tinkercrate subscription, which I'll do a post more about soon. Mama got an electric pressure cooker aka Instant Pot & its my favorite thing; check out my Instastories for meal ideas & maybe a post or two will transpire.

More fun coming!

50 Things In 2018

2018-01-04T08:19:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year friends!

I unplugged over the holidays from the blog, if you couldn't tell already. We had houseguests, dinners, parties & so much relaxing, that The Bottomless Cup took a backseat during that crazy couple weeks. I hope you all had an amazing time with family and friends & are ready to plunge into the new year, like I am. We're getting back into our everyday routines & as a mom to a wild 4 year old, I'm ready for school to start back up.

Every year at the beginning of the year, I think about all the things I want accomplish throughout the year, whether it something big, small, adventurous, or silly. Does anyone else do this? I don't make resolutions; that word just sets me up for failure. Instead, I list things I want to accomplish or do throughout the year so when I look back, I feel like it was a well spent year.

Creating a list & sharing it helps keep me accountable while allowing me to update my progress throughout the year. I'll do my best to update quarterly here with how things are going; you may even see some posts dedicated directly to some of these specific goals.

Here's my list of things I want to accomplish in 2018:

a healthy skin care routine
get moving & exercise 3 times a week
time management for a cleaner home
expand my culinary skills
learning to say no for my mental health
grow my social media accounts & blog
explore new places
find & complete sewing projects
grow some of our own vegetables
regular monthly/bimonthly dinner parties with our friends
check off more from our ballpark bucket list
read 10 books, cover to cover
make beef bourguignon
get & ride a bicycle
get a passport
continue staying lactose free
book a family vacation somewhere new
enroll reba in dog school
build benches for our dining room table
find a way to volunteer as an individual
master a lactose free cheesecake
family bingo game night
take a cookie decorating lesson
swim lessons for benjamin
launch a youtube channel
restore an old friendship
master my instant pot & work my way through the cookbook i got
go bowling more as a family (benjamin loves it!)
discover a new camping spot
paint remaining rooms in our house
volunteer at benjamin's school
subscribe to barkbox
visit canton first monday
master the gregg family noodle recipe
tackle & chisel away at debt / less frivolous spending
make my own bath bombs
visit a new walking/hiking area
make our own valentines
go to the ballet
eat dinner on the patio whenever possible
find a quilt project & begin (& maybe complete)
visit a you pick farm
play topgolf
explore a new city with a day trip
build our savings account
visit seaquest aquarium
make some custom shirts for my wardrobe
tour a new museum
visit a wood sign diy studio
make my own pasta

Here's to 2018! Let's do this! Stay tuned to see my progress throughout the year.

20 Things I'm Not Sorry For

2017-12-19T12:00:00.002-06:00

So many times, mom guilt takes over in my life. I have frequent moments of "maybe that was not a good idea" or "maybe I should have done that instead." Anyone else feel that way? And why is it called mom guilt? Do they have a thing called "dad guilt"? Does it work the same way? Because, I'm dying to know.

But after the mom guilt subsides, I have a rather lengthy list of things I'm not sorry for. Some are rather lighthearted, some of them serious, but enjoy!

I am not sorry for:

1. Using the "I have to go to the bathroom" excuse quite a few times a day to have a moment by myself without something hovering over me

2. Ensuring I paint my nails once a week; its my favorite self-care practice

3. Watching Vanderpump Rules & other trashy "reality" shows

4. Being an early bird for everything; showing up late is the worst for me, so I sometimes will arrive ridiculously early

5. Taking an OCD approach to making sure my wrapping paper coordinates with one another

6. My ability to eat Mexican food everyday

7. Washing my hair maybe twice a week & heavily relying on dry shampoo

8. Having to justify with people why I don't have Benjamin in preschool more than once a week, so I can have my own time

9. Having an obsession with lip color & eyeshadow

10. Being a homebody. I love staying home & enjoy not being out among crazy nation

11. Knowing all there is to know about Gilmore Girls

12. Not having a whole mess of girlfriends

13. Filling in my eyebrows 99% of the time. It makes me feel together, even if I'm having a hot mess kind of day

14. Living a sober lifestyle

15. Loving winter more than summer & wishing for a white Christmas every year

16. Not wanting to have more children; Benjamin is all we want & need, so we're complete

17. Listening to Christmas music all year long

18. Having a strong aversion to haunted houses. I will do about anything to avoid going into one

19. Wearing grey or black & white stripes before anything else

20. Eating way too many potato chips; I'm a salty over sweet kind of girl

What are some things you're not sorry for?

Wearing: Gold collared V-neck shirt, Lip Color in Berry Sorbet, Glasses

My Current Eyeshadow Favorites

2017-12-14T06:30:00.000-06:00

Besides lip color, my makeup bag has a high population of eye shadow residents. Maybe its because the vibrant possibilities. I'm pretty however, its the fact that I love wearing a good eye after all the time I spend on fancying my eyebrows. Those bad boys don't look that way on their own; my wax lady does me a solid every month.

My shadow collection is a healthy mix of drugstore & department store brands & I have to resist the urge to add more whenever I find myself getting a few extra moments alone. Anyone else find themselves picking colors you already own because they're so pretty? First world problems. I added a blue recently & I find myself having nightmares of looking like Mimi Bobeck, so don't expect to see much of it anytime soon.

I consider myself more of a neutral & pink kind of girl & below are my current go to items/colors:

Sephora Collection // in Messenger Bird (my new blue), Girl Talk, Watermelon Falls & Grey Obsession

Wet N Wild // in Au Natural // an amazing shimmer & matte palette that is only $7!

Anastasia Beverly Hills // in Modern Renaissance // shimmer & matte palette that was a splurge but the pigment on this amazing & my favorite color is the Venetian Red

Naked Cosmetics // in Desert Sunset 02 // I got this in a ipsy bag one month & I think it ranks as my most favorite item received.

I also use a cheap bronzer & highlighter for my eyes during those 5 minute face days for a pop without all the work.

I put some new makeup brushes on my wishlist for Christmas this year, because well, we won't talk about the age of mine. I went out on a limb & purchased the gold ones from the Wish App a couple months & am only semi satisfied with them. Good thing they were only a few bucks. What brushes do you recommend that aren't black market, organ selling expensive?

You can see my other favorite things here.

10 Things I'm Currently Obessed With

2017-12-12T10:59:00.000-06:00

2017 is winding down so quickly, that I feel it whizzing by me at lightening speed. I've been doing quite a bit of thinking about next year & how I want it to turn out. It's a semi big year, Benjamin starts Kindergarten & I find a whole new sense of "mom freedom.' Besides being eager about getting quality quiet time each day, while he's off learning all the things, I'm browsing the things & loving these:

- skip the cliché tomato pushpin holder ladies

- my inner movie nerd is totally geeking out

- give me all the cake stands & table things

- if my dungeon of doom, as damon calls it, finds organization, this!

- these are popping up on my instagram & i'm obsessed

- because shoes

- and all the shimmery things

- who needs normal loungewear?

& because my life is always interesting

Happy Tuesday y'all! I'm off to party it up Christmas style with a room full of preschoolers. May the odds ever be in my favor.

Gingerbread House Decorating

2017-12-08T06:30:00.000-06:00

I have always enjoyed Gingerbread houses. Maybe it is the way they smell, or maybe all that candy. Whatever it is, I love them. I remember as a kid going to the casino in Mississippi (my uncle at the time worked there) & we would go down for a dinner and show of some kind during the holidays. And it never failed, that in the foyer, right outside the elevators, stood this enormous, jaw-dropping gingerbread house that always have me awestruck.

Now let's preface all of this, with we cheat. We don't buy one of those build your own kits. Those kits are for people who are gluttons for punishment, I think, because, I have tried, & it never turns into anything except something that would resemble something out of a Three Little Pigs story. We do, however, get one of those prebuilt houses every year for decoration & I'm not sure which of us looks forward to it more, Benjamin or myself.

Well, Egon (our Elf) decided two nights ago that he had waited long enough for us to build it & left us a rather demanding letter that we get to work immediately. So once the dinner table was cleared, we got to work.

I have pretty good restraint from eating all those sugary treats while building; it may be the fact of my that I realize those candies may have been in that box who God knows how long, except this year, they were pretttty tasty. We don't claim to be gingerbread house masters by any stretch & you will never see me on a Martha Stewart special conducting a tutorial on crafting the dreamiest one, but we still have a great time, decorating with action figures & other sundries we think would be fitting for our wintery scene each year. (Egon hasn't gotten into decorating it yet this year with toys, but give him some time, he's busy hiding in the fridge with all the produce right now.)

Damon is definitely our decorator - he gets it from his mama.

Maybe one day I will get super domestic & make my own walls & roof. Bahahahah who am I kidding?? Wilton's knows what they are doing.

One more item checked off that Christmas list of mine.

Denim & Gray

2017-12-06T06:30:00.000-06:00

I did something new. I did something out my comfort zone. Well I did a few somethings. But most importantly, I tried out the Wish App. I had always been anxious about that thing. I mean have you seen some of the stuff they sell on there? Make a grown man blush.

Anyway, I had wanted one of those super cute, bun/ponytail beanies that all the fashion forward people are wearing, but did not want to pay half a tank of gas for one. Enter the Wish App. I selected one from the catalog & eagerly awaited it's arrival. Surprisingly, it only took a couple weeks; all the way from China (of course!) to my doorstop it appeared.

The quality is amazing & price was even better; 2 bucks! It's been rather warm here, so today when the cold front arrived, I threw it on & knew I needed to capture it in some sunshine. If I had more time before the holidays, I would have totally ordered these for all the girls in my life, because, amazing & they came in a jillion color options.

I of course ordered mine in gray, because if gray is considered a color, its my current favorite. But I do want one in wine & maybe even brilliant blue.

^^ I quickly learned I lost my grace & jumping ability about 5 years ago when a child graced my uterus.

Like all my fashion faux pas; water spots on my shirt, pocket poking out, chipped nail paint? Call me fashion blogger of the year. Good thing I'm not one; real mom right here.

Wearing: Jeans, Shirt (yep! its a man shirt!) in crew, gray stripe, Lip color in Rebel Rose & Beanie in Gray

Non-Candy Stocking Stuffer Ideas for All

2017-12-05T10:35:00.000-06:00

As soon as Christmas hits the stores, my inner holiday addict starts to rear herself. I get over joyed with twinkling lights, smells of trees & wreaths, carols & anything else that slightly resembles Santa himself.

I love getting to give gifts and stuff stockings full of love & cheer, but let's be honest, candy is something I try to steer clear of. Benjamin has enough energy & I'm really working hard to limit our added sugar intakes; sugar has done a number on my skin health. Plus I'm pretty sure my brother & his wife appreciate not bringing home a mountain of candy from every holiday. I still purchase some food items like popcorn & jerky, because those are always well received.

I've been trying to be creative & reach outside the Christmas box when it comes to stocking stuffers for everyone & have come up with some pretty great items, or so I like to believe. I found most of my stocking stuffers this year in the Target Dollar Spot, my home away from home & Home Goods/TJ Maxx.

Littles: (we have kids aged 3+ in our families)
Instant Snow // we don't have snow often in Texas (this makes me reallllllly sad!), so the littles love any little bit they can "get"
Holiday Flavored Lip Gloss
Hot Wheels
Ball Poppers
Mini Nerf Guns
Pencils
Playing Cards or Card Games // I like this package because you can break up the "set" for multiple stockings, cutting the overall price down
Holiday Scented Playdoh
Microwave Popcorn Bags
Mini Lego Sets (usually $3-$5)
Slinkies
Collector Cards
Blind Bags

Hers:
Mittens
Bath Bombs
Silicone Pot Holders
Mini Whisks & Spatulas // these are like the best things on the planet. okay maybe not the best, but these are perfect for mixing in cups/mugs and little amounts of things.
Crocheted Beanie
Nail Polish
Small Candles
Flavored Tea Bags

His:
Hot Hands // perfect for keeping in the glove box; great for women's stockings too, or maybe just mine. :)
Hand Tools
Batteries
Bungee Cords
Holiday Flavored Coffee Samples
Koozies
Stick Lighters
Crazy Socks // if you have a TJ Maxx, Marshall's or Ross, check those out these; you would be surprised with the selection and price.

For other gift gifts, check them out here.

My Christmas Bucket List

2017-12-01T14:53:00.000-06:00

SANNNNNTA!!!! I KNOW HIM!!!! I don't declare to be the biggest lover of Christmas, but I find myself to be up there on the list. As soon as the weather starts to change & the calendar itches towards Thanksgiving, my insides get all excited about all the Christmas-y things filling the stores & streets.
Christmas is always magical & I put together my bucket list every year of things I want to accomplish, so that when the calendar strikes 2018, I don't look back wishing or missing anything.

Here is a look at my bucket list this year:

1. Christmas light looking with homemade treats
2. Eat copious amounts of cookie dough
3. Main Street in Grapevine
4. Make Christmas cookies for Santa Claus
5. Visit Santa Claus
6. Watch all my favorite holiday movies
7. See Sundance Square
8. Sniff a jillion real trees
9. Decorate a gingerbread house
10. Eat Mexican food on Christmas Eve
11. Visit the Palace Theatre for Movie Night
12. Visit the Merry Christmas Charlie Brown exhibit

Do you have a holiday bucket list? What's on it?

Flying High

2017-11-28T06:30:00.000-06:00

One of my things that has always been on my bucket list is skydiving. Well, I didn't go skydiving. Damon's family came in town for the holiday weekend & I knew going up in what I call a "puddle jumper" was imminent. And let me put this out there, I used to be a terrible flyer; like need a Dramamine kind of flyer. I mean, big metal object flying thousands of feet in the air. You get my point.

After realizing everything I was missing by not wanting to fly, I figured out some coping mechanisms (mainly deep breaths and closing my eyes lol) & things really have turned around. This airplane ride though....

Benjamin has eagerly been talking about flying since Damon's dad bought into his plane co-op & this past weekend, we made it happen. He boarded & copiloted like a champ; myself however, stowed away in the backseat.

We all took turns flying & after a few shrieks and shrills from myself & I mayyyyy have asked 5 billion questions, I feel as though I've got it under my belt. I took a wee bit of a longer trip when we took one of Damon's sisters back to Oklahoma & the views were amazing. Plenty of pictures from our flying time below.

Flying in a plane like this is a completely different experience & I recommend it to everyone. It gives me a whole new appreciation for flying & I can't wait to go up again. We're still working on getting his oldest sister to actually let his dad leave the runway, rather than taxiing around.

His plane only has 4 seats. Yeah, you read that right, 4, so things were cozy. I still can't imagine flying from AZ to TX in that thing.

So I've decided the headphone look doesn't work for me. You know those shows like the Bachelor where the girls are taking those plane/helicopter rides looking all glam?? Yeah, that wasn't my case.

Damon & Benjamin flew together. Damon is now adding getting his pilot's license to his list of "things to do." I can say I don't blame him.

Seriously, these views! After flying over all these empty spaces, I have a new found love for all things "middle of no-where." Its so majestic & beautiful.

You can find more of our adventures here.

My Little Turkey

2017-11-22T15:05:00.001-06:00

One thing I love about the four year old stage is preschool No lie, I look forward to my mom time every week. We're currently surviving through Thanksgiving break, which means no school all week. We're also tackling an ear infection. Blech.

Last week in school, their focus was the Condor, but because Thanksgiving was approaching they also talked about things they were thankful for & made the sweetest turkey "head dress" to wear on Thanksgiving Day.

Benjamin always eagerly shows me his art project when he hops in the car, but so far, this one ranks at the top. And his thankful list; heart melt. While he may not be thankful for his parents (ha!), the fact that he's making friends and loves them so is totally okay to trump me on the list. I may regret that when he's a teenager.

We've also been practicing our gobbling, talking about all the yummy foods we will be eating & how long it will be before Egon (our Elf!) & the Lego Advent Calendar will make their appearance. I'm equally excited for the food & also the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is always on my to-do list while getting food made.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!!

Wearing: Shirt found here.

Give Me All The Lipstick

2017-11-21T10:45:00.003-06:00

I have an obsession. Well if we're being honest, several. They range from cutesy socks, oversized coffee mugs, woodsy & man scented candles, writing utensils & lip colors. I think they are all tied for first place.

I used to be the type of girl who could run out the door without a dabble of makeup on my face & feel completely "normal." And then age happened. Now I find myself smearing on a little bit of this & a little bit of that to even things out, brighten things up & basically feel alive before going anywhere. But something about a good lipstick makes everything feel complete.

It usually ends up being something pink or pinky-brown, but between my bathroom drawers, makeup bag & purse, it looks like something out of a lipstick factory. Mostly matte, because that feel of not wearing any, but wearing some, is I think, the best feeling in the world. I'm sure I don't even come close to being a top contender for owning the most, but I find myself getting there rather quickly.

Most of my stash are drugstore brand, with a handful of Sephora style store brands thrown in. I love me a good dupe. I'm definitely no beauty blogger, but you can find my current favorites below.

NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream // Milan & London are current favorites, but I'm working on getting more added. I actually mix these two together for the perfect "nude" shade for errand day

e.l.f. Matte Lip Color // I actually have a couple of these, but Tea Rose is my go-to

Wet N Wild MegaLast Lip Color // I think for the price, this is my absolute favorite matte color. Usually around $2 a tube, there's no guilt in stocking up on them. Don't Blink Pink (I'm wearing it here), Mauve Outta Here & Wine Room are my top contenders. I'm working through some reds (I recently acquired Stoplight Red) looking for the perfect dark red for the holidays. Stay tuned for what I find.

Tarteist® Creamy Matte Lip Paint // I just discovered this one; I've been living under a rock. This matte is amazing & I find myself slathering it on several times a week. I only have Birthday Suit right now (it was a free gift at Sephora!) & I want more.

e.l.f. Professional Lip Exfoliator // Not exactly a lip color, but this is my favorite lip exfoliator. It comes in a nice brown sugar, so the taste is newsworthy. For $3, it deserves a place in your cart.

LipSense // I have several colors & use these mainly for date nights & when I need a good red that won't be everywhere. Blu-Red & Brick are my picks for reds & Kiss Me Katie is the ultimate pop of pink that I live for.

You can find all my list of things here.