The Coach's Widow

A New Season

2012-10-05T22:52:00.000-05:00

Well, it's football season again and life has changed a lot for me since I wrote my last blog post. It seems crazy to me that I haven't written in over a year, but when life gets hectic, sometimes you have to choose the important things in life and put the fun things on hold. I have moved two times since my last post. My Coach and I decided to take a large pay cut, :0 and move to my hometown. My hubby went from being a head high school basketball coach to a Jr. High coach. He chose to do this so our kids and I could be near their Mimi, Poppa, Aunts and Uncle. It meant a lot to me that he would choose his family over his career growth. We also felt like this was where the Lord was leading, and calling us. Sometimes you end up happier when you let go and let the Lord lead you in the opposite direction of what your plans are.

It has taken a little bit of time for Coach to get adjusted to dealing with these hormone enraged messes of Jr. Higher's, but he has found that there is an amazing chance to help these kids grow and learn the basics. That is one of the amazing things about sports. The ability to find new ways to grow and push yourself.

I have started a new adventure as well. I now work in an Outpatient Rehab at a hospital. I have gotten the opportunity to work with children, and adults who have difficulties ranging from articulation problems, neurogenic stuttering, dysphagia, laryngectomy, aphasia, and much more. It is an amazing job and keeps me on my toes. Although I love my new job, I still have never loved any job more than my job as a mom! (Although it is the hardest and most exhausting job I've ever had). That job keeps me on my toes too. I deal with difficulties ranging from spelling tests, field trips, dr's visits, fit throwing, and birthday planning. (And much, much more!)

Life is great how it keeps you guessing on what comes next. We would be bored if it never changed. I've missed having the chance to write and share. It is one of my favorite things to do, so I am going to make it happen. I am going to go plan a birthday party now, and hopefully not encounter any fit throwing :)

Just hanging out Watching Eagles! (Real ones!)

2011-04-06T20:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I heard a story that really caught my interest on NPR. Now, I am not a regular listener of NPR, because very rarely do the stories ever catch my interest, but this one was so neat I cannot help but share!!!
As we speak there is a live feed of two eagles and their recently hatched eaglettes online. The video feed shows 24 hours a day and documents every move these eagles make. I checked it out today and was surprised at how interested my monkeys were. Every single one of them sat silently and watched in awe at the beautiful creatures (okay, Baby Gray only lasted for approx. 2 minutes, and then started beating the computer, but for an 18 month old, 2 minutes is a lifetime of stillness). I found myself getting excited when the mama eagle started moving around and I could see 2 little hatched eaglettes peaking out from underneath her. She was even feeding them some fish she had caught earlier.

Apparently the eagles are being watched as part of a research project, and over 200 million people have viewed the feed so far. When we logged on, there were 150,000 people watching at the same time as us. I am not sure why it is so interesting, but I do know that it was something that my family loved seeing. It is something positive and uplifting (a nice break from all of the bad news on the internet and television). You can even watch the eagles at night via infrared light. So cool.

Anyway, just wanted to share the neat experience we had. Be sure to let me know if you check it out, and what you and your family think!

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

My Hair is So Shiny I Couldn't Lose My Head!!!

2011-03-30T22:37:00.001-05:00

Well, I have to tell you that I am writing this post in severe and utter disappointment! I successfully fulfilled my hair and makeup Monday Mayo Review, and have some fun pic's to share, BUT.... of course my new camera cord is missing (therefore I cannot download them). Things have been known to be used as Barbie belts or get flushed down the toilet, so there really is no telling where the cord could be. I also would probably lose my head if it wasn't attached, so the cord could be making friends with my other lost items somewhere over the rainbow never to be seen again.

Soooo I decided to use my scanner to upload the pictures! I thought, "Oh yeah Autumn, great idea!" BUT.... my computer decided to freeze 5 times during the middle of the download. For some reason I am not supposed to show you the outcome of the Mayo extravaganza, but I promise you this, I will not give up. I don't want to spoil my upcoming (hopefully) post telling you all about how entertaining it was dousing myself in something that soaks a sandwich, but I will tell you that my hair looks awesome today! It is so shiny that my coworkers had to put on sunglasses to walk by me in the hall. Okay, I know I'm corny, but really I did receive a lot of compliments on my hair today!

Here are 2 pictures I was able to take with my phone

following my homemade Mayo

hair treatment. I'll give you the pros and

cons tomorrow when I get the rest of the

pic's downloaded :(

I am going to try my hardest to get the full review up tomorrow, but I just wanted to make sure you all knew I didn't forget about you.

Wish me luck on making it over the rainbow to retrieve my cord, or over to Wal-Mart to buy a new one.
P.S.,
I am making banana bread tonight, so I will be sure to share that recipe. It is an old German recipe that I tweaked a little to fit our family's tastes! Mmmmmm! (I love having Coach home to cook for!!!!)

Hair & Makeup Monday: Whipping Up Soft Shiny Hair!

2011-03-28T23:41:00.000-05:00

This is definitely not me
or my hair. It was so shiny
and pretty, that I am hoping
this will be my outcome.
But Blonde :)

Ways to Get Soft Shiny Hair
(For Thrifty Women Like Me!
-A.K.A. Cheap)

Winter has officially taken the life out of my hair. Because of this I am on a quest to find the best home remedy to add shine and health back to my hair. I found many different sites with ideas, and I've decided to try one a week for the next 4 weeks. I will let you know which ones actually are worth your energy, and which one's are old wives tales. Here is the first home remedy for dull hair that I will be testing!!! (I'm a little scared!)
An Oldie But a Goodie

1. Mayonnaise:
I've always heard about this in old movies and on t.v. shows, but never really thought that I would put something that goes in between two slices of bread on my head. I never thought I would be cleaning crayon out of a toddlers teeth either, but sometimes you do what you've got to do :)

It is advised to put the mayo in your hair, focusing on the ends (to reduce frizz and split ends) and leaving it in for approximately an hour. You can wrap it with a towel or just put on a shower cap to keep from condimenting your home. After the hour wait, rinse, shampoo, and blowdry.
**** Tip: When rinsing your hair use cool water. It seals the cuticles and is supposed to prevent frizz. *****

I'm heading off now to get started. I will take pic's to let you see the difference. Check back tomorrow to help me judge whether this is beauty miracle or just miracle whip!

See ya tomorrow. Let's just hope Coach doesn't smell my head and decide he feels hungry in the middle of the night!

Thank Goodness for Saturdays

2011-03-26T23:01:00.001-05:00

(A picture of mommy: by Stinkerbelle)

Sorry it has been a few days since I have been able to write a post. Honestly this week has been rough. Spring break is over and school is back with a vengeance :) It seems like it is flying by, which is nice, but I have so much to do before school is out that I am kind of hoping it will slow down a little. I have drowned my stresses in comfort foods like frito pie and macaroni and cheese. Mmmmm..... probably not the best for my waistline, but definitely the best for my emotional stability.

I'm sorry Jillian,
please don't hurt me!

I do have a confession, I missed my Coach's Widow Workout 3 times. Instead of being on day 9 of my Jillian Michaels Shred, I am on day 6. I am still up to the challenge, and not planning on quitting anytime soon! I've heard many times that it is a bad idea to be hard on yourself when you are dieting because it makes you want to give up altogether, and I am going to apply this to my workout. Okay I missed a few days, but I am going to keep going and do better next time. Life happens. (I think we all know that!)

On top of having a rough week, Coach had an out of town trip scheduled for this weekend. I am not usually a really emotional person (I'm sure some who know me would beg to differ :) , but I actually cried when he was talking about leaving on Friday. (Such a baby.) I had just gotten used to him being home more than usual now that basketball season is over, and he was heading off again. I sucked it up pretty quick and got my big girl panties on and prepared to tackle my beautiful trio of monkeys for the weekend! I think many times in my head things seem like they will be harder than they actually are. Yes, I am absolutely worn slick after chasing a 2 year old who lives on an emotional roller coaster, a 1 year old who thinks it is hilarious to push any button he can find (remote, television, lamps, alarm clocks, his mother's .....), and a 5 year old who never quits explaining every detail of every minute of her favorite episode of ICarly.

But...... once I am sitting here typing this blog and have them in bed, I think of all of the fun we had today and how lucky I am to have the opportunity to chase the 2 year old who carefully picked up a beetle and saved it from being squished, the 1 year old who ran toward me saying "tickle, tickle, tickle," and the 5 year old who said, "Mommy you are the most beautifulest woman in the whole world." That was enough to bring tears of joy to my eyes. (please refer to the above photograph for a life-like portrait)

I spent the late afternoon sitting in my backyard on a towel attempting to soak up some of the 95 degree weather while I watched the monkeys play. I love warm weather!! Here are some pics of our not too busy day. Thank goodness for Saturdays!

Baby Gray loves chalk! He will write on anything with his
sidewalk chalk! (P.S., yes, that is drool on his shirt, it
is a never ending floodgate)

Chalked the mini tramp!

And the window screens!

He attempted to chalk Sleevy but she was smart
and hid behind the grill.

He eventually made his way
back to color his sisters and himself!

1000 Pageviews!

2011-03-22T19:29:00.001-05:00

I have officially reached 1000 pageviews in 2 months!!!! I'm sure for some blogs this is a daily reading log, but it is a big milestone for me. Plus, I like any excuse to celebrate!!!

Thank you to all of you who have read my posts and encouraged me to keep writing!

I really love doing it, and have already met some great people through my blog!!!!

Although over 900 of the page views are from the United States, it is neat to see that I have had readers from

places like, France, Poland, Singapore, UK, Thailand, Netherlands, Austria, Pakistan, and many more.
I would also like to thank my Canadian readers as well eh? (I'm allowed to attempt the Canadian lingo since I am sure you Canadians have made fun of my constant use of the word y'all!) :)

I hope to keep writing and hopefully inspiring or at least entertaining others with my stories of craziness in The Coach's Widow home.

If you have any ideas of things you would like included in upcoming posts or any questions you would like to ask, feel free!!!! I'm pretty much an open book. With reason :)

Love to all!
Thanks again for reading!

7 Makeup tips for tired moms

2011-03-21T22:09:00.000-05:00

Being a mom of three and being a coach's wife is a tiring task. Because of this I have been on the lookout for some makeup tips to help us tired ladies look refreshed!

You know that I am not a morning person, so anything to help me look a little less angry in the mornings is welcomed :)

We are going to take this spring forward time change and rule it by using these makeup tricks for looking awake and vibrant!!!

I've searched makeup artists blogs and articles for the best tips I can find. These are the most simple, affordable, and frequently recommended tips by the experts for waking up your look.

Today we are going to focus on the Eyes!

The eyes are the windows to the soul, so let's get started on putting some pretty curtains on those windows!

1. Keep your brows groomed. It is recommended that you go to a professional and have them shape your brows first, and then if you want to, you can keep up the grooming.

P.S. My Grandmama taught me to pluck in natural light. I know that when I don't, I end up getting in the car, looking in the rearview mirror and freaking out that I just plucked and still look like "Alf" (I loved him!!!)

2. Use eye drops to reduce redness. I think the bloodshot look is very Twilight, but pretty sure Coach would prefer peppy refreshed Autumn.

3. Concealer, concealer, concealer! Concealer is the key to reducing those pesky undereye circles. Each person has different skin tones and needs, so the type is up to you. Just make sure it is a shade lighter than your skin tone if it is going under your eyes. This will brighten up and give an awakened look.

4. White or nude eyeliner on the inner rims of your bottom lash line is one of the most used makeup artists tricks!!! Some experts suggested silver or pink colors as well if white is too bright and nude blends too much.

5. Shimmery shadow in the inner corners of your eye is a recommendation that I have heard for a long time, but apparently it works. In Januaary's Glamour magazine, Gwenyth Paltrow recently was reported to have done this to look more awake on Good Morning America. If the stars do it, we know it's good :)

6. Curl your lashes. The higher the lashes, the more open your eyes look.

(My mom always gets mad at me because I put on mascara and then curl!! It kills her. Don't tell her, but I still do it sometimes.)

7. Highlight your brow bone with a light colored shadow. Some articles said to use a shimmery shadow, while others said to just use a tan matte color. I particularly would rather not have to try to get sparkle/shimmer out of my eyebrow at night, so I stick with the matte. This highlighting again brings a more open look (especially if you have kept up with tip #1)

I know there is no way that in the morninngs you or I will be able to do all of these tips to brighten our look, but try them and see which one's work for you. If you decide to forgo all of them, remember you can always claim to be going for the Twilight look :)

Good Luck!!!

The Coach's Widow Workout

2011-03-20T23:38:00.001-05:00

worRecently I hung out with a girlfriend who has transformed her body! She has lost a lot of weight and more importantly feels great! She let me in on what began her transformation. Her enthusiasm encouraged me to begin a new workout regimen. I'm calling it:

"The Coach's Widow Workout!"

I can't take credit for this workout though. It is a workout video by the meanest trainer in television. Jillian Michaels.

I've developed a new love/hate relationship with her! :)

But before I tell you about the workout, I have to show off my workout kicks!

Coach got me these shoes at the end of football season as a thank you! Coaches get all sorts of shoes and awesome sports outfits each season, and I was feeling deprived :)

These are Nike ID!!! You can look up the website to customize your own tennis shoes! I'm pretty sure no one will ever steal my shoes since they have my name on them, not that anyone could handle the stench of

my tennis shoes (I know... too much information hehee)

(I liked how this North Face hoodie matched my shoes!)
This was my end of basketball season gift. I know I'm a little spoiled,
but c'mon three kids later, I gotta get something fun :) Plus,
I would definitely not ever spend more than a few dollars on myself,
so Coach thinks it is fun to do it every once in a while.

Back to my new workout!!! I have started the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I am now on day 3 and have not felt more sore in my life. It includes 3 different workouts that you work your way up to. I have decided to do 10 days on level 1, 10 on level 2, and 10 on level 3. She does not specify you have to do this, but if I set it, I know I have to do it. Each level increases in intensity and includes strengths, cardio, and abs. All three of which I need!

I am partially telling you about my workout to inform you of how exciting and great this video is, but also so that I am accountable!!!! I've decided to be 100% committed to completing the 30 days. So, definitely ask me how it's going, and ask me any questions about the workout if you are interested. It's pretty intense, but for some of us who are going on a cruise this summer (it's me it's me!!!), it is necessary for bathing suit purposes!!!! By the way, if you are interested in buying the video it is approximately $8 at Wal-Mart.

Wish me luck! P.S., I would also like to say I now feel amazingly sorry for the people on the biggest loser!!! (I already felt sorry for them, but now I empathize a little) If I scream at her on the screen, I can only imagine how they feel during their workouts. XoXo Biggest Losers!!!

St. Patty's, Birthdays, and L.A.T.A

2011-03-18T17:00:00.001-05:00

Last night, Coach and I actually got to go out!!! I don't mean just dinner and home either, we actually got to socialize! If you have read my previous posts, I'm sure you know that is a difficult task for us to do :)

It was one of the other basketball coach's birthdays, so we went out to celebrate. He just happens to be dating a member of a new music group called L.A.T.A, and they were performing. So we got to celebrate, and see a concert. Who are we??? I love spring break :)

We made our way to downtown Austin, and met up with the coach and his friends. By the way, if you have never been to Austin before, it is an experience in itself. Not only was it St. Patricks day, it was also the South by Southwest concert series. (This is a big event in Austin where big musicians come and play). So not only were the normal WEIRD Austinites out, the REALLY WEIRD ones were out too :) It made for plenty to look at as we made our way to the concert.

I was taking the pic, walking in heels, and trying not to get run
over by pedicabs, so sorry it's blurry :)

We watched the concert, watched a few people who had had too many drinks dance around the floor, ate some birthday cake, socialized and headed home. A very fun night for people who usually go to Chili's and maybe take a walk near the river for date night (don't get me wrong, I love those dates too, but a change of pace was really fun).

P.S., The Group L.A.T.A was amazing. Check out their first single!!! Very fun music that gets stuck in your head easily!!!

Gradual Self Tanner

2011-03-14T20:37:00.000-05:00

Today's Makeup Monday post:

Self Tanner!

Spring is on the way, and I am pale! This Summer I have a cruise planned and I plan on looking tan. Because of this, I need to get a head start on the best self tanners. I decided to put two gradual self tanners to the test. An off brand (Wal-Mart Equate) and Jergens gradual self tanner.

I applied the Jergens self tanner to my right arm, and applied the off brand to my left arm. I put on two applications to make sure that there was at least a slight difference in the tint of my skin.

I was impressed with the outcome of both. No streaks! Although it is important to wash your hands after the application. If you don't the spaces between your fingers will appear orange.

I used the lotion for the medium skin tone even though I am light skinned. I did this in hopes that it would work faster :)

To be honest, the outcome of this scientific experiment, (maybe I should teach science instead of speech..... okay I won't quit my day job) was that the outcome was exactly the same.

Off brand top arm

Jergens below

Both arms had a slight tan look. I surveyed those around me to see if anyone thought that one arm looked better than the other (yes, they thought I was weird, but obliged). I had 2 choose the right Jergens arm, and 3 say the left off brand. I think it may be slightly swayed by the extra freckles on my left arm.

What this shows is that if you pay less, you will still get a good outcome. Good price, good gradual tan. Remember, if you want a quick tan, this is not the lotion for you.

Pros:

Makes you look good

Affordable

Tan without damaging your skin

moisturizes as well

The Equate is supposed to firm and reduce appearance of cellulite (don't know, haven't noticed a difference, but haven't tried it in
those areas yet)

Cons:

Self tanner smell

Very gradual

Doesn't last very long

Would I buy again? Yes, (probably the off brand, since I'm a cheapie)

Have to go watch the Bachelor Finale now!!!!

Birthday Mystery Solved!!!

2011-03-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

My final envelope from my sister included this message:

Autumn,

So I'm assuming you still have not figured it out. Call it What You Want, but I know I made it a little hard. But I Want It That Way. Don't worry though, Baby I Believe in You. So, Let's Try It Again because You Got It.. The Right Stuff to figure this out. So you should probably take it Step By Step. I know these are just more clues you're getting Tonight, but they are All I Have to Give you, and believe me, the are not something that Everybody can have. They are a little Larger Than Life but so are we so Please Don't Go Girl, keep thinking about it and Hangin Tough and you'll get it. As Long as You Love Me, I'll Quit Playing Games and wait for The Call from you letting me know that you put it all together. Now, Didn't I Blow Your Mind????

Love,
Ashtin

I did get the mystery after this message!!!! She is taking me to a concert!!! Did you figure it out? If not, Kyna on my previous post was amazing and figured it out before I even opened my final envelpe!!! Great job!!! Thanks for all of the help y'all! You are amazing!

P.S., I have had a great birthday today! Good food, family, and lots of cake (the cake almost caught on fire from all of the candles). I got a new camera, so I no longer have to mourn the death of my previous one :)

The Birthday Mystery!!!!

2011-03-12T17:04:00.000-06:00

Basketball season is over!!! What , What! That is my reaction when I get excited about things, please excuse it, and forget I ever said it. You are all just lucky you don't have to witness my dancing when I get really happy. It is like a tribal indian dance gone bad. I'll stop there.

Anyway, I need your help in figuring out a mystery. You better believe I'm going all Nancy Drew on you. (by the way, I always dreamed of being Nancy Drew.... solving mysteries with Ned and driving my convertible around town- I guess I came close.... driving my first car a Datsun which broke down every 30 miles around town with my 6ft 6 future Coach squished in it, and trying to solve the mystery of how to get it home... a girl can dream).

Back to my mystery!!!! Over the last month I have been receiving letters from an unmarked sender at my house. Each piece of mail has an individual letter(alphabet letter) in the envelope. Luckily I recognized the handwriting, or I would have been really freaked out. (Of course it is my sister! She is a student teacher right now. Who else would decorate the envelopes with colored markers and hearts?) She has been sending me these random letters now each week, and I have no idea what they are supposed to spell.

My birthday is this Sunday, and apparently these letters are supposed to give me a clue about what she is getting me for my birthday. I thinks she thinks it is fun to torment me :) There is a final letter that arrived yesterday, that I am not allowed to open until tomorrow, and she said I cannot have my gift unless I figure out the clues :(

Well, I cannot figure out what the letters could spell, so I am asking for your help!!!! I've been given a hint that it could be an acronym..... Still doesn't help. (And no this is not cheating! You are just helping in the process! Just don't tell my sister. )

The Coach's Widow's Tips to Staying Sane for Moms

2011-03-08T23:40:00.000-06:00

How to stay sane as a mom:

1. First and foremost, Take time for you!!!
I have a hard time with this sometimes because I feel like mommy knows best. Yes, Daddy may let them eat 3 starches for dinner but they will survive while I take a half an hour to write, or enjoy a night out with my girlfriends. This pertains to taking time out for you to spend time with your husband as well. Coach and I make it a point to go on at least one date a month. Many times we have the babysitter come over after 2/3 kids are asleep, but at least we have the chance to reconnect and remember the special things we love about each other that are harder to see with spit up on your shirt, or Barney songs playing in the background.

2. Ask for help. I have such a hard time with this. In my head, if I can't do something on my own then I'm weak. I have learned that even the most successful people have to get help. All the Hollywood celebrities have assistants, maybe that's what I need ;)

Grammie loves giving babies baths in
the sink!!! I love taking pics of
it!

3. Say No. As a mom there are people asking you for things left and right. On top of your families needs there are always others asking for your help. Don't overload your plate. Learn to say no if you really don't have time or the energy to fully fulfill those obligations and continue to be a great mom. There will always be someone who is disappointed if you say no, but the most important thing is your health, and the needs of your family.

Sometimes you have to be stern!

4. Realize that no one is perfect. Doing your best and putting forth effort for your family is all that matters. Parenting and perfection do not go together. It is more like a hill you are trying to climb. Sometimes you need to sit down and take a break, sometimes you may go downhill a little, but you are always working toward being at the top (you can't leap to the top of a mountain, it takes a lot of effort and trials to reach the peak, but the view from the top is worth the work).

5. Give up the guilt. Everyone has different expectations and beliefs about what form of parenting is best. As long as love and energy is put into raising your children, you should feel like you are doing a good job. I constantly feel guilty for everything (sitting down to rest even makes me feel guilty sometimes when I feel like my time could be more productively spent another way). Guilt is never productive.

Happy Healthy Moms = Happy Healthy Kids

If your children see and feel that you are enjoying life, they in turn will see what they need to do to enjoy their own lives.

We're Fishtailing It!

2011-03-07T21:38:00.003-06:00

Hair and Makeup Monday:

Today I decided to write a post featuring a fun new hairstyle (it may not be new, but it's new to me).
Many times I get stuck in a rut with my hair, so I was set on finding a fresh new style. Allure.com has some really great ideas! I went through a list of new hair ideas for 2011, and found one that really caught my eye.

I have been seeing this hairstyle on t.v., and in magazines, but never really thought I could pull it off on my own hair. Well, I tried it for y'all, and you can be the judge of the outcome.

The Fishtail Braid

This is my inspiration. Let's just get this out there: I will
be doing the cute version of this pic. The sexy version is
not happening :)

According to Allure, a fishtail is a more interesting version of a side braid. (oohh....ahhhh)
Steps to creating the fishtail braid:
1. Seperate hair into two sections instead of three.

2. Pull a few strands from the outside of one section and weave it over to the underside of the second section

3. Repeat the same motion from the opposite side

4. Keep alternating until you reach the end, then secure with an elastic. (Wish I had a clear elastic band, but had to go with what I had).

5. To dress up the style, wrap a scarf around your head like a headband and tie it in a messy knot or bow.
It took me approximately 3 trys before getting the braid to the tightness that I wanted. It helped to wrap a section and pull it upwards to tighten the braid. I also had to remind myself that it looks just as cute with a few strands poking out. It is a side braid, so messy is okay.
Overall I really like the look of this braid. I definitely don't have time to do this every morning, but may try it if I wake up with a little bit of extra time. This style also works for a relaxed night out.

Speechies and the Stars

2011-03-06T23:53:00.002-06:00

I apologize for the break in posts. This week I attended the yearly conference for speech therapists in Houston (Internet was only available with a per minute charge at the Hilton-and we've established that I am way too cheap for that-sorry y'all).

Hilton Lobby- Liked this light!

I attend this conference to learn more about my profession, but definitely didn't pass up the opportunity to see my grad school friends and get to know the ladies I work with better.  I also really enjoyed swimming in the indoor pool, and having my bed made for me every day. It felt very strange waking up and only having to worry about getting myself ready (oh how I used to take that for granted).

I got to meet up with my graduate school friends one evening and have dinner. It felt like we had not even been apart. I don't know about you, but there are always those people in the restaurant that sound like they are having way too much fun. They are laughing annoyingly loud, and I secretly wonder what is so funny or so exciting. We were them :) I loved seeing my gals!

On my last evening in Houston I had a very unexpected experience. While walking to the "House of Blues" for dinner with a few ladies we passed 3 buses parked along the side of the road. Now, because my sister is friends with some Texas country singers, I recognized that they looked like a tour bus that musicians travel on. It was lit up and we could see a guitar and a playlist through the window (promise we weren't stalking, just glancing). Jamie, one of the ladies walking with me, said "It says Good Directions and God is Great, do you know any of those songs?" I said, "Oh my gosh, I bet that is Billy Currington's bus." Just so y'all know, I love country music, and I really like his songs, so I was pretty excited. We figured he was around there somewhere close and decided to keep our eyes open.

After dinner we were pretty sad that we hadn't seen Billy. We had heard that he was going to be singing at the Houston Rodeo the next day. I thought it was pretty cool that I had seen his bus, so I wasn't too upset. As we were walking back to our hotel, we passed by the buses and stopped to look up at the Four Season's Hotel they were parked in front of. We began talking about how nice it would be to stay there, and that, that was probably where the band was. As we were discussing this, a man standing next to the buses asked how we were doing tonight. We told him we were fine and ended up having a conversation with him. Well, it turned out that he was the production manager for Billy Currington. He showed us the bus and we chatted with him for a while. Very nice guy. He gave us tickets to the upcoming Billy Currington concert in San Antonio, and set us up to get a meet and greet with Billy (the concert is April 15th, so I will keep y'all updated on the status of that!).

Overall, it was a great trip! Fun, exciting, and a few days to escape the trials of everyday life. I did miss my babies bunches, and couldn't wait to get home to Coach! There's no place like home!

We headed out to the river today! So much fun.
It was so good to come back and
kiss these faces!

P.S., Coach's team finished out basketball season as Regional Semifinalists!!!! This had not been done at his school since 1974! Congrats Coach, y'all did an amazing job! Lots of sacrifice, but for a great cause.

2011-02-28T21:01:00.001-06:00

Today's Makeup Monday post :

Mascara

Mascara is the staple of every makeup bag. If you only choose one thing to put on before you run out of the house in the morning, it is mascara! So, if I am going to have very little time to put on very little makeup, then it will be one that makes the biggest difference.
I decided to try a new mascara that claims to lengthen your lashes dramatically.

L'Oreal Telescopic Intense Looking Lengthening Mascara Blackest Black
Their claim:

"For clump-free, perfectly defined longer lashes. L'oreal introduces new telescopic clean definition mascara for lashes with telescopic length, perfect definition, and a clump-free, natural end result. The patented no clump brush cleanly defines and lengthens up to 60 %."

Type of Mascara: Lengthening
Colours Available: Black, Blackest Black & Brown

When I first opened this mascara I realized that the wand is different than most I have used. It is long and flexible and does not have a brushy end, but more of a separator. I opened it, and swiped on a a coat.

This mascara impressed me for many reasons. It only took one coat, and really seemed to lengthen my lashes. I've always dreamed of long lashes, and this definitely did the trick. I have now worn this mascara for a week, and have not had any flaking. It is very long lasting (this is a plus!!! because I constantly have allergies and itchy eyes which I can't stand not rubbing)

Okay, so I must really love y'all for letting you see
my naked eye :)

This was with one coat of mascara! I was pretty impressed.
I took these pic's with my phone camera, so
please excuse my unenthusiastic look :)
I was concentrating!
All for the love of makeup.

Pros:

This mascara gives lots of length and very little clumping.

It gives good clean definition, and looks natural

Creates long looking bottom lashes

Does not feel too heavy but still looks dramatic

Does not have a scent

Is safe for contact lens wearers

Gives good separation of lashes

Quick and easy to apply no mess, clean wand.

Widely available : Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS

Good pricing

Cons:

Does not give much volume for those with thin lashes

Does not curl lashes much

Does not come in waterproof- for those of you like me who occasionally break out into random tearing when our children say sweet things, or when we watch movies like "An Affair to Remember."

Overall:
Quality: Good
Price: Great (approximately $7-$10 depending on where you buy)
Would I buy again? Yes

Fits into our category of
Simple, Affordable, and Functional!

Just a Swingin

2011-02-25T21:54:00.002-06:00

My kids love to go to the park. They love to slide, and climb the monkey bars. They love to play in the sand (and throw sand in each others hair), but their favorite activity at the park is the swing.

I think I have spent hours of my life pushing children on the swing. I don't mind doing it, because it keeps them happy and entertained and not saying, "Mom, I'm thirsty" or "Mom, I'm hungry." The hunger is constant in my little starved monkeys, I swear! But it is not until recently that I got the chance to experience why they love it so much.

For Valentines day, Coach got me a swing.

I know it seems like something that you get when you are old, but I feel old :) Just kidding, I have always loved swings. My parents used to have one on our front porch, and it was the only thing that I could use to put my little brother to sleep when I would babysit (If my mom is reading this, she is saying "Yeah, cause you babysat like what... 1 time????" I know. I know. I was not much of a baby person back then, but when I was forced, it worked :)   Who would have thought I would have 3 of my own monkeys before I was 30. Oh how God laughs at your plans :() He always has better ones.

I promise the baby has two shoes.... but I don't promise that
both are ever on at the same time *sigh

I have come to believe that this is one of the best inventions ever, and not only does it swing, it turns into an outdoor lounging area (lays down flat into a bed.... lounging area sounds so chic....I almost spelled chic as sheek, I guess that proves I don't really portray the word). It is my new area of relaxation. Coach's team made it to the playoffs, and have been doing really well, but that means more time on my own figuring out ways to stay sane and keep kids entertained. I've loved sitting outside, soaking in the southern sun, and watching as my kiddos fight to see how monkeys can fit in a wagon (sounds like the name of a children's song.....hmmm). It's entertaining.

I watched an episode of "The Middle" yesterday (recorded on my DVR-because I no longer get to watch shows when they really come on) and it talked about how adults should revert to things they did as children to reduce stress. The parents were both skipping by the end of the show. I think this is my reversion (not sure that's a word, I love making them up). Swinging. If you have read my previous post about cartwheels, you know how that worked out. (Still no progress)

As you can see, many times I have to wait
for my turn on the swing

Anyway, I would recommend attempting something you loved doing as a kid and see how it makes you feel. Let me know what yours is, and how it turns out! Good luck!

P.S., Coach's team won their second round of playoffs tonight!!!! Congrats to my homebody hubby!

Remember to Take the Time to Care

2011-02-22T15:32:00.003-06:00

I saw this video today and had to share.

***Warning, it brought a tear to my eye*****
(but it doesn't take much, I'm kind of a baby).

It helped remind me how important it is to not just go through the day looking at my own problems, but to make sure to acknowledge others and support them as well. Sometimes our struggles are minor compared to what others are facing.

The video was made for employees of Chic-fil-A. Good chicken and a good message!!!

Every Life Has a Story from Dan T. Cathy on Vimeo.

Yea for Makeup Monday!

2011-02-21T17:14:00.002-06:00

Today is the first edition of Makeup Monday!   I thought I would start with one of the basics:

Tinted Moisturizer

I have always been really bad at wearing moisturizer until this year when I started noting a few wrinkles around my eyes. I have always thought wrinkles are cute, and still do, but can wait a few more years until I embrace them with open arms :) I usually use a sheer moisturizer, but during the winter thought, "Hey, a little color never hurt anyone!"

So, I was on a quest to find a good, inexpensive tinted moisturizer (that doesn't turn my face orange). The life of a pale girl *sigh......

Well, I have found one that I like. It is smooth, sheer, and very inexpensive (that always makes it sooo much more appealing).

Jane BE PURE
aquaceuticals

This moisturizer is sheerly tinted, and includes organic green tea and white tea extracts. It is certified organic, so not only am I looking good, but I'm helping the environment while I do it :)

This product comes in 4 shades: Fair (very fair, pink or porcelain undertones), Light Warm Tones (beige or yellow undertones), Medium Warm Tones (mediterranean, tanned complexion) and Dark Tones (deep, warm complexion). I use the lightest which is supposed to be used on fair/pink toned skin (I call it pale, but fair sounds so much prettier).

Pictured: Fair Tones for very fair, pink or porcelain
undertones

When I first put it on my skin, I almost had a heart attack. I knew for sure that this was not going to blend in well.

But it did! There was no sign of a line!

The moisturizer also claims to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and delivers a 30 SPF. So..... not only am I preventing my little haunting eye wrinkles by wearing this moisturizer, I'm also hiding them! What a deal.

The PROS:
-SPF 30, protects your skin
-paraben free
-has green tea and white tea extracts
-gives a good coverage that does not feel cakey,
-When I put it on, Coach said, "Wow, your skin looks really nice!
-you get a good quality and quantity for the price, 1.5 oz for about $7

The CONS: (I didn't really have any, but this may be a con for some)
-a slight scent, but it goes away quickly after application

Worth Buying Again?: Yes

Where to buy it: Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid

Overall, I was very impressed with the Jane Be Pure aquaceuticals tinted moisturizer.
It fits into the Autumn motto:
Simple, affordable, and functional.

Just Go With It

2011-02-20T14:57:00.000-06:00

This weekend I attempted to conquer one of my fears!!!

I am a people person. I like to go out, and be surrounded by people. I've rarely actually had the chance to do much on my own. I was the oldest of 5 kids, met Coach in high school, and then attended college with him. I always had roommates in the dorms until the day I married my handsome hubby. I've never lived alone. In fact I've rarely done anything alone We found out we were pregnant with Stinkerbelle 6 months after getting married, and you know kids never leave you alone :)

Who would ever want to be alone after you see
this face?

I think its because of this, I feel uncomfortable doing many things alone. I have gotten used to grocery and clothing shopping by myself, but other than that I won't do it. That has been something I've wished to change about myself for a while. And being married to a coach, does not give you much of a choice but to do things on your own.

Meet Ashtin, my sister. This is all her fault :)

She's the tough looking one on the right, unless you couldn't tell!
We were getting ready to play football on Thanksgiving and
felt we needed to dress for the part.

She is awesome. She is my inspiration because she has no problem doing things on her own. She has plenty of friends to do things with, but if they aren't available, that doesn't stop her. She went to see Dane Cook (the comedian) by herself. She is friends with some country singers, and attends their concerts by herself. In my eyes, she is so brave. I've always wished I could be like that, so a few days ago I decided to try.

I wanted to start small so I set out to go to the movies by myself. I woke up, told Coach my plans, and readied myself to go. He was so supportive! I kind of hoped he would say that he had plans for the day, so he would need me to stay home. No luck. I knew I would chicken out, so I bought the ticket online. I may be a chicken, but my cheapness outweighs fear any day! There was no way if that ticket was paid for that I wasn't going. I got in the car, drove 45 minutes to Austin (because it was going to be way too hard to see Coach's students at the theater while I was conquering my fear), and parked in the lot. That was the easy part.

Then I just sat there.......... I didn't realize how nervous I was until I got to the theatre. I gathered myself and went into the movie approximately 10 minutes before it started. It went great. I picked up my ticket from the lady at the front, held my head up high like I knew exactly what I was doing, and went into the theater and found a seat. This was the part I dreaded the most. I don't know why, but in my head I thought that everyone would stare and think "Wow, that lady came by herself, what a loser." I have a pretty mean imaginary audience :)

The theater had maybe 15 people in it, and 2 or 3 other people who were there by themselves. I sent a few texts while I waited for the movie to start. I'm pretty sure no one even noticed me. It was actually pretty fun. Besides the whole stressing out part. I enjoyed the movie, and even went to the mall afterward for some window shopping. The movie was "Just Go With It."

Maybe that should be my new motto for conquering this fear. I am going to attempt to "Just Go With It," and not worry about whether I am with someone or not. If I would enjoy doing it, do it! It's easier said than done, but at least I took a first step.

Let's Hear it for Lefties and Hair and Makeup Mondays!

2011-02-16T21:00:00.026-06:00

I am a leftie. I'm not really sure if that is how you spell it, but if it isn't, that is my new spelling for it. It's actually kind of a cute spelling *leftie. Anyway, I've learned over the years that many times when you are left handed, you tend to enjoy being creative and thinking abstractly. (During school I always seemed to catch on to the things others found difficult, and had the most difficulty with things others found easy. It's weird I know) Lefties always tend to do things a little differently, maybe it's because the whole world is built for righties, so we get creative trying to figure out how to use right handed scissors, desks, and the mouse on the computer. You righties don't know how good you have it! :)
I would like to point out that there are many famous lefties who did great things:

hputx.edu

Presidents:

James A. Garfield
Herbert Hoover
Harry S. Truman
Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan   (I love him!!!)
George H.W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Barack Obama

Musicians/Singers

Ringo Star
Paul Mcartney

Leonardo Da Vinci

Phil Collins
Natale Cole

Jimi Hendrix
Judy Garland
Artists

M.C. Escher
Hans Holbein
Michelangelo
Raphael

Leonardo da Vinci

xtremewalls.com

Actors

Michael Landon (my mom's boyfriend :)
Robert Redford
Julia Roberts
Marilyn Monroe
Dick Van Dyke
Bruce Willis
Oprah Winfrey

The list goes on.......   The list was just for kicks, no real point :) Sometimes not having a point is so much more fun! But I do have a point to this post.

The reason I bring this whole creativity thing up is because being a mom of three little ones and working full time, does not leave me with much time to express myself creatively. Back in the day I used to draw, paint, scrapbook, photograph, sew.....(the list goes on.... at one point I worked at Hobby Lobby, so you know I kept busy). I do occasionally do crafts at my job, but that's work. Not just for fun.

I have always found one way to express myself, even if my life was filled with craziness. Make-up and Hair.(Some people claim it's an art!) I am not going to claim that I am an amazing makeup artist or hairstylist, but I will admit that it is something I like to do for fun. I love to play with colors, and experiment with different hairstyles. I consistently seem to grow my hair out and then chop it off ridiculously short.

My mom is a barber, and her motto was "It's just hair. It will always grow back." I don't know if I would live by this statement. I've never colored my hair pink (although I have always wanted to.... maybe just the tips) and I've never done anything much shorter than right below the ears but I like to switch it up a lot.

The following is what I call my evolution of hair:

I loved this short pixie cut! So easy and free!
When Summertime hits I always get the urge to
chop it off!

That middle stage is always the hardest when
you are growing it out. This was a few months after having
baby Gray. My eyes look tired!

I was almost there!

My current hair length

I got tired of waiting and added some
fun extensions-clip ins-not permanent (Way too cheap for that)
Stinkerbelle calls this my "Taylor Swift hair"

With makeup, I am not one of those ladies who sticks with what works. I always feel like there has to be something better, so I try out the new products. Many times I am disappointed and go back to my old faves, but sometimes I stumble upon a keeper.

Because of my need for an attempt at self expression, I have decided to begin Makeup and Hair Mondays. Every Monday I will feature a new cosmetic product or hairstyle. Like I said, I am a busy mom, and don't have time to look like a model in the mornings (not that I would if I did have the time) , so I plan on featuring simple, mom friendly (not mom'ish) makeup and styles. Simple, affordable, and functional. That is the theme of my life!!!!
I know Monday is a few days away, but I had the idea yesterday, decided to do it today, and had to share. Until then, let me know if you have any ideas of some new makeup products to give a try.

Skittish Sleevy

2011-02-15T22:25:00.005-06:00

It's game night. (We made the playoffs and are 2nd in our district!) Coach is at an away game, and I of course did not dare attend. I feel like I'm having dejavu :) Oh wait, it's because I have sworn off away games until potty training is over. That is a whole other story in itself. We won't go there tonight. I don't have enough energy to even think about it.

Tonight after I accomplished making dinner (frozen lasagna), giving the monkeys baths, emptying and loading the dishwasher, reading 50 books for bedtime and putting the kiddos into bed with no one escaping, I found a new friend. No, I'm not talking about Joe.... he's my morning friend (coffee is my best friend if you haven't had a chance to read my previous posts).

This friend is Sleevy. She is my calico kitten. I have a cat named KiKi, and the kitten as well. I've never really been a cat person, but since having children, it comes in handy having a pet that does not chew up my favorite high heels, and potty trains itself. Cats have quickly grown on me.

Sleevy started out as wild as a banshee. That's what my mom used to call us when we were acting crazy as kids. "Quit running in the house you wild banshee." Not really sure what it means, but I sure do use it on my own kiddos!

Sleevy would not let us hold her or even pet her for that matter the first 6 months of her life. The only reason we still have her is because when we were attempting to give her away, with the rest of KiKi's kittens, we couldn't catch her. She would dart to a hiding spot that we had no chance of getting to and stay there until she knew for sure we were gone. I got a kick out of watching Coach try to catch her!!! We won't go into details :) She kind of chose us, I guess you could say.

Over the past week, I guess Sleevy decided that she has changed her mind. She is still a little skittish (for some reason I always thought Skittish was spelled with d's but apparently I was wrong..... my spelling word for the day), but she's actually wanting to be friends. She began with a few little sniffs of our fingers as she walked by while we attempted to pet her. It then moved on to her rubbing on our feet as she meandered by. Today I came home after work, sat down on the couch, and realized Sleevy was sitting in my lap.
I'm not sure if I like her more now because I think I tamed her, or because I was feeling rejected and have finally been chosen. She likes me..... She really likes me!!!!

I can't put my finger on what happened, or what we did to change her mind, but I am glad to have my new friend here tonight, sitting in my lap, and purring.  I think I will sit here and enjoy the relaxing purr for a few minutes before I begin cleaning up the cheerios off the carpet, the fingerprints off the t.v., and every pillow I own strewn around the house (Baby Gray thought it was hilarious to throw them at his sisters..........boys!)

P.S., Sleevy gets her name because she looks like she has a sleeve on her arm. Very cute!

Oh Valentine's Day...How I miss thee.....

2011-02-12T09:48:00.000-06:00

On T.V. and in the movies, Valentines Day always seems to go smoothly and perfectly. The couples walk in to a restaurant, have reservations, and immediately sit down to a candle lit dinner. Their children (if they have any) are with a babysitter and the only thing they have to think and talk about on this wonderful day of love is each other. Awww.....

So, it doesn't really work like that for me and Coach anymore :) I don't think it actually ever did. Does it really work like that for anyone???? As a child, I remember riding around with my family on Valentines day attempting to find a restaurant to go to. We would go to Olive Garden, see that the wait was 2 hours, and then move on to another restaurant. We usually ended up saying forget it, and either waiting the 2 hours at restaurant #4 , or picking up something and going home.

I remember saying, "That will not be me! When I get married, it will be romantic!" Well, 6 years later, and 3 children later, I understand the struggles that my parents faced when it came to making Valentines day, the day of romance. How could it not be romantic? I'm sure I was sitting in the backseat belting out some N-Sync. (so sad)

I've got some advice for this upcoming Valentine's day.
I know you are all thinking, "What amazing answer is she going to give us?" "How can we still have an amazing, romantic, special, one of a kind Valentine's day even if we have kids?" (Hopefully they're not singing N-Sync. That would be weird.)

I don't really have an answer. Sorry. What I will tell you, is that I am reminded daily that my children are a blessing. Yes, sometimes things don't go like they do in the movies, but real life is so much better. When my daughter hugs me and tells me that I'm her Valentine, I am reminded that the small sacrifices like not getting to go out to a special dinner are not really that important.

Okay, now I am going to tell you that if we don't have a babysitter, I will probably order pizza, light some candles and hang out with my hubby for Valentine's day (after the kiddos go to bed). The romance is in who you are with, not what you do. For those of you who do get amazing reservations, and meet at the top of the Empire State Building, I am extremely jealous! Tell me how you do it :)

~Wishing you all a day full of love~

Joe: My Best Friend

2011-02-11T00:44:00.001-06:00

5 Reasons Why Coffee is My Best Friend!

1. Have I told you I'm not a Morning Person (See the blog labeled A Tu-Tu A Day Keeps the Morning Blues Away)

2. The next few days are going to be busy. Coach's basketball team made it to the playoffs! Yea!!!! Although I am very excited for him, this means that he will be gone a lot more preparing the team for the upcoming games. Tonight he has traveled to Dallas to scout out some teams he may be playing against. Tomorrow is game night, and Saturday the team will be playing a make-up game due to the snow day. Because of this, I am warning you ahead of time that my posts may sound a little delirious :) But that only makes them more fun. Right? I guess we'll see.

3. Yesterday I awoke at 5:45a.m. (yeah I said A.M.) to a banging noise in the living room. I sent Coach to check it out. He returned with an expressionless face like he had seen a ghost. I asked him what the noise was, and all he said was, "Your daughter found your nail polish." Needless to say, the rest of the morning I was scrubbing bright red nail polish (the one from the post about betting!) out of my white carpet.
***** Tip!!!!! ************
If you ever spill nail polish on the carpet, after scrubbing it with soapy water, use Windex to help remove the remaining stain. (Found that tip on the Internet when I was hoping for a miracle, and it worked!)
I hope deep down in my soul that you will never need that tip, but just in case!
***********************
She had also painted her legs, arms, and lips. She apparently thought it was lip gloss. I will have nightmares about that morning for years! There were no pictures of this, I was busy feverishly scrubbing the carpet.

4. Coffee makes me sit. I'm not sure how or why. When I wake up on the weekends, I usually do so with a vengeance. I have a list of things to get done running through my head, and I jump straight to work. Coach is a coffee connoisseur. I've never seen someone drink so much of it. It is the first thing he does every morning, so as soon as he places the cup of coffee in my hands, I feel like I need to sit down and take a few minutes to enjoy it. Although it is full of caffeine, it is probably the main thing keeping me calm.

5. It's easy to make! I know this sounds silly, but at this point in my life, anything that only takes a few minutes to prepare, and has a setting where it turns itself on and makes itself is definately a favorite. It's like the croc-pot of beverages. Not only that, but my husband is such a coffee lover, that I very rarely have to actually make my own. Score!

I tend to agree with Mike Ditka from the Movie "Kicking and Screaming"

Coffee is the lifeblood that fuels the dreams of champions.

The Best Bet: Superbowl Fashion

2011-02-08T20:46:00.020-06:00

Ok, so I am going to let y'all in on a secret. I am officially addicted to betting. I don't mean any of those illegal bets, or ones where you make money off of someone. I mean ones where I get my husband to do things for me because I am a good guesser!

Coach and I have a long standing tradition of betting on sports teams. I love sports (tennis, soccer, volleyball, ice-skating.... pretty much all of the one's that my husband doesn't care about), but I would much rather be watching some reality show that makes me feel like my life is Waaaay normal.  In order to cure my boredom during games Coach and I started making bets. He soon realized that it encouraged me to actually watch the sports he is interested in and learn a little about the games.

If there's something in it for me, then I am a great supporter. This is how I learned what first downs were (I'm not really sure how I was a cheerleader for so long, and never really understood what I was cheering for.) I've even learned what a tight-end is. We won't talk about what I used to think it meant :)

The last game we made a bet on was of course, The Superbowl.

Since we don't bet for money, I definitely try to get something good out of it! My toe nails were beginning to look a little rough, and I am too cheap to go get them done (and am not really full of spare time), so I decided that if my team was to win, then I wanted Coach to give me a pedicure. Not just paint my toe nails, but really do it up. Scrub my feet, wrap my legs in hot towels, the whole shebang! The whole point of the bets is to make sure that you have the other person do something that they would never do unless forced to by the loss of a bet. (I love it!)

Coach decided that if he won, he wanted me to be the perfect coach's wife for 3 days. I pretty much feel like I am already pretty perfect at it (Not!). I was supposed to bake the team cookies, create a gift bag for my husband the day of a game, and attend the game in full team colors (etc... etc....).  I was pretty much supposed to worship him for three days. He would love to be spoiled like this all the time, but life is a little hectic for me to normally come up with baked goods for the team and worship him :) I have 3 monkeys that I'm busy chasing and a job, sorry Charlie. But this is what would happen if I was to lose.

We shook on it, and moved on to our team choices.

The way I pick teams really cracks up Coach. I usually just say I have a feeling about who will win, and who won't. I call it my MommyPsych. I think all moms have a 6th and maybe a 7th sense. We do have eyes in the back of our heads you know!  I really didn't have an opinion about who I wanted to win, but I remembered that I had an old comfy Packers t-shirt packed away, and that it would be fun to wear a shirt supporting my team. So, based on my outfit, I decided to choose the Packers. Coach, was happy to go for the other team and the bet was on.

Long story short, I'm sure most of you saw or heard the outcome of the game, so you know how this all turned out. It turned out with a happy Autumn!

I would like to thank my best friend Stacey, who let me borrow her Packers shirt approximately 8 years ago (Not sure if I stole it or if she gave it to me..... Sorry Stace. Let me know if you want it back!).

Just so you know Stacey, you are the reason that I am sitting here with soft feet and pretty red toes. Thank you friend!

Thanks mom for passing down the Flintstone feet

Poor baby, I think I passed them down to her too!
Mini-Me was determined to have her toes
photographed
(ooohhhh..... I just love baby toes!)

I am proud to say that I won this bet because of fashion! Superbowl Fashion that is!

If you are ever having trouble with getting motivation to watch a game with your spouse, I would definitely recommend betting! It makes it so much more fun. Please do not hold me liable if you end up having to worship your husband, you win some, you lose some. I am now out of professional sports team shirts to help me make choices, so I guess I will be using the MommyPsych for March Madness! I do occasionally lose, so I'll let you in on those sad days too :) We'll think happy thoughts of painted toes until then.

Thank you Coach for always going along with my crazy bets!
You are a great sport!

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Just a Swingin

Remember to Take the Time to Care

Yea for Makeup Monday!

Just Go With It

Let's Hear it for Lefties and Hair and Makeup Mondays!

Skittish Sleevy

Oh Valentine's Day...How I miss thee.....

Joe: My Best Friend

The Best Bet: Superbowl Fashion