Looking for Me??

If you came back looking for "Love It With Me Wednesday" please go Here!

My fabulous friend Ashton is currently stalking Lance Armstrong in France right now and I did a guest post for her!

Please visit her lovely blog to read about how much I love my Mama and Miranda Lambert!

While you are there check out Ashton's Sunday Inspiration...she always posts something beautiful for us!

Have a Happy Wednesday!

Remember that time...Part 2

Yeah. I didn't get to have my intentional. See us in here in purple!

surgery back in April. However, I did have a hella good time with Amanda! I was going through some pictures and videos and realized that I neglected to share some moments with you....

First, we pretty much matched everyday...

It was not

It was Easter weekend and one of our Grandmothers really loved Easter Lilies. Me too. So I bought some pretty flowers...

We ventured north 2 of the days that Amanda was here. One day to Gloucester (no pictures...not sure how that happened) and Newburyport the next! Our impromptu adventure was ridiculously fun...

This is an airfield on the way back from Newburyport. You will see the signs for it if you hug the coast.

Lunch.

The following pictures are from this precious antique shop in Newburyport.

Tons of really interesting art by the water front!

This was my favorite!

So so so many beautiful homes!

I would love love love to live in a place like this on the water...someday.

I am pretty much in love with this shot.

This video may only be funny to Amanda and I but it gives you a little glimpse of how we are...

Gloucester was really fun. We parked the car and just started walking.

Have you seen The Perfect Storm??

If not click here to learn more.

We wanted to go to the Crow's Nest Bar (featured in movie)

and if you look at the website it looks like a friendly place...touristy, ya know?

Yeah. Not so much.

Amanda and I walked in and walked out.

Keep in mind that we aren't prissy girls. We aren't above a seedy bar. It was CLEAR that we were not accepted by the locals. However, we wanted to go to the bar and we did...memory made!!

It was a fantastic weekend! Thanks Mandy!

Love It With Me Wednesday!

I Love...

Urban Walls

Really! I mean I love all things "Etsy".

Urban walls has the most fabulous wall decals!

Go. I mean it. Go right now and see for yourself and report back!

Camping

Fresh air, campfires, and cooking outside!

Whats not to love!

Next weekend Will and I will be tucked quietly away in the Berkshires!

We are beyond excited! We will be hiking and kayaking all weekend.

The Wizard of Oz

My. Favorite. Movie. Of. All. Time.

My Memaw (grandmother) had it "taped" as in off TV on to a VHS! Remember that??

Anyway, the movie recently turned 70. Remember how Will was awesome and took me to see it at our local theater? No? Here you go! We also just saw it at the Esplanade(spot on the Charles River Downtown...where the Boston Pops play for the 4th of July). They put a giant movie screen up at the hatch shell to show movies in the summer. It pretty much wins!

Lasik

No glasses. No contacts. Just me and my sunglasses LOVING summer!

This is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Really. Was it scary? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

What are you loving today??

Loving Me

See this girl...

She seems nice. Probably fun. She isn't striking but she certainly isn't unfortunate looking.

Last week this girl hated herself. Like a lot. She directed her focus to all things negative.

Then someone made her remember how loved she is.

She has beautiful friends.

She has a devoted family.

She has a loving husband.

She makes mistakes and she isn't perfect. (News Flash: No One Is)

I think she just forgets that she is pretty special. She forgets about all of her blessings.

This week she promises to focus on all things positive. To love herself more.

She wants you to do the same.

You are beautiful.

You are loved.

You matter.

Love yourself.

The Creative Sunday: Denim

I am playing along with Maegan at http://madelinebea.com/blog/

I just started following her blog! Thanks, Corinne!

Maegan hosts The Sunday Creative. She gives a one word prompt and then it is ours to roll with!

I usually don't participate in this type of thing because I worry about my interpretation of the assignment (assignment?? are we in high school again??)...No more! That is what creativity is all about for crying out loud! Our individual interpretation of anything is the heart of creativity.

So here we go!

Denim

Denim is strong.

You wear denim to work in. It can take the wear. The long day.

Denim is comfort.

Is there anything better than your favorite pair of worn denim jean? Yeah. I didn't think so. There is something sweet and familiar about those raveling hems and worn knees.

Denim is always in style.

The cut may change. One wash may be more popular than another this decade. You can bet that it will always be around.

Denim has does not discriminate.

Denim loves the country boy, movie star, vacationing senator, mom, kids of every shape and color!

I

Denim!

Check out Maegan's blog and link up if you feel so inclined!

Test

I'm testing the waters of this "blog from your phone" thing. I think it
would be cool if it works to my liking. I'm attaching a photo to see if it shows up. This is Will eating fried pickles from Hooters while we grocery shop. I have learned that if he has treats that he behaves much better!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Yes, Jesus loves me...

{via}

Wow.

Remember how pathetic I being earlier today?

Well, I have this sweet sweet cousin that doesn't read this little blog of mine and she is 2000 miles away. She had no idea about the pity party I was throwing myself this weekend.

She sent me a Facebook message today.

It was simple..."Hey, Kimmie! (Yes. My family calls me that. ) I have been thinking about you and wanted to make sure you were doing ok.

That was it. I. Spilled. My. Guts. Totally poured my heart out to her. Told her that I thought I was pregnant...or hoped, I think that I knew that I wasn't. Anyway, I told her how hurt I was to get the negative tests. How I am tired of being let down. So on and so on...

She wrote back and said the following...

oh girl, now I really know why I have been thinking about you!!! We have been trying for 7 years and 2 rounds of fertility and I haven't been pregnant once! We are actually getting everything together to try treatments again. It is a big deal and it's a hard pill to swallow when you find out your not, no matter if its the natural way or treatments. If you ever need to talk let me know, I understand totally. I wish you all the luck and love in the world, I know yall will be great parents. Hang in there and email, call or whatever if you need anything!

Love you!!

Really? Seriously, Kim? Did you really complain about not being pregnant to the ONLY member of your family that has been trying to have a baby and has been unsuccessful for SEVEN YEARS! Good job, Kim. Good. Job.

But how sweet was she?? How encouraging and understanding...

What she should have said....

Dear Little Brat,

You don't know disappointment yet. Wait 5 years and then we can talk.

But she didn't. She was there for me. I needed that.

She and I don't talk as much as we should. She said that she felt like she "had" to check on me. Heavenly Father loves us. Sometimes we need to be reminded of this. He often shows his love through the love of others.

Jenny made me feel loved. She also reminded me that things aren't that bad for me.

Say a pray for Jenny.

She totally turned my night around. I had been sulking all night long. I didn't go with my friends downtown for the Boston Pops and Fireworks...how lame am I??

Well, we live inside and old rock quarry (sounds strange but its very pretty). Anyway, there is a perfect view of the city from the top of the quarry. I thought of this and jumped in the car...after a few wrong turns I found the road that took me to the top. Just in time.

I could totally see the Fireworks and here the music. It was perfect. I sat alone. I watched, I thought, cried and smiled.

Here I was thinking I had missed all the fun...that I hadn't got to "celebrate". That I missed Fourth of July.

Well, folks. I didn't miss a thing. In fact, I am fairly certain that I had the best seat in the house.

Happy Independence Day!

throwing a party

a pity party.
i should be celebrating.
i can't even enjoy how special today is.
this week has been crappy.
i have tried to be all "glass half full" about it.
but i just. can't. do. it.
i flooded the kitchen.
like...2-3 inches of water on the kitchen.
yeah. i was just running a little water in the sink and i forgot.
just forgot.
walked by it several times.
i was working on getting over that when...
my "friend" was (and is still) late and i took 3 pee tests.
all negative. of course.
i decided that i wanted to stay home on my long weekend.
but will is away and i realized that it would be best to get out.
so saturday i get up read and relax.
then i go to the store and buy everything i need to make a fabulous banana pudding and a tasty cheesy bacon and ranch potato dish.
i was certain that these two dishes would be a hit a bbq that i planned to attend.
potatoes are washed peeled and chopped (with out incident)and in a pot of boiling water.
i make my pudding and set it to chill in the fridge.
i cook some bacon and crumble it.
time to mash up potatoes and build the casserol and get it in the oven.
its 4:40 and the bbq is at 6 so i jump in the shower and get 85% ready.
peek at the potatoes and construct the banana pudding.
it was perfect.
i finish getting ready and take my beautiful pudding out of the fridge.
then i drop it.
yep. it's on me, the walls, the cabinets, the floor, and my nicely cured hair.
i cried. then i cleaned.
then i smelled the burning.
i opened the oven and smoke billowed out.
it looked like i was being visited by the smoke monster. no lie.
then my smoke alarm went off. it was tragic.
i got in my bed and cried.
i finally finished cleaning up myself and the kitchen.
funny part of this...when i got in bed last night, i realized that i had gotten pudding all over the sheets when i crawled in to pout.
i laughed. hard. and then slept on the couch.

If you are still reading I'm kinda sorry. I hope that you all have a lovely weekend celebrating your Independence. We are free. We are Americans. I am and always will be proud. Happy Fourth of July!

Today I Will Be Free

This will be the last blog post that I write wearing glasses!! I am joining some of my blog pals in Fill in the Blank Friday!  The topic is books!!  

1.  My favorite book growing up was     "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein  I was passionate about his books.  I would check them out from the library and rack up major late fees!!  .

2.  The funniest book I've ever read was     a series by Janet Evanovich- The Stephanie Plum Series.  They are hilarious!!

3.  The one book that has truly changed my life is      The Bible and The Book of Mormon.  Both full of truth and guidance .

4.  If you're looking for a real "tear jerker" you should probably read     "The Mark of the Lion" series by Francine Rivers.  Crying during a book is a rarity for me and this one did me in.  I was so sad when I finished reading these books    .

5.  If I could meet any author living or dead I would want to meet    Jane Austen. I have read and re read her for as long as I can remember. She have been apart of my life for such a long time.  Longer than any other author .

6.  The next book on my "to read" list is     Catching Fire (I know. I know,) Then the Mortal Instuments Series  .

7.  If I was snowed into  remote cabin in the woods and could only choose three books to bring with me I'd bring      My special edition Jane Austen (it has 5 novels,,,but its technically one book), Eclipse (from the Twight Series), Where the Sidewalk Ends   .

Its not funny any more.

Yeah.  I am not really know for my ability to "have it together".  I actually am know for my gift of lateness, forgetfulness and classic procrastination.

I have decided that I am far to old for this.

It is time that I stop joking about it and be embarrassed about it...because I should be!
I mean, REALLY??  I had to bring my printer and laptop to and event because I KNEW that I would forget to print something.  That is just sad. I actually plan on screwing things up!

Well, those days are over! I hope...

I have come up with a system (sorta).

I calling it "Take 5"!

Sometimes I wake up dreading my day.  I think of all the things that I need to do.  Then I get a little sad because there are things that I want to do and I know I won't have time.  This makes me resent the things that I have to do.  See the vicious cycle forming....

There had to be a way to fix this.

I realized that I just need to me more organized.  That I needed to make lists and prioritize those lists and then manage my time.  Sounds simple enough...right?

I have started making lists.  We have this board from IKEA that is awesome!!

Its called a notice board. WE LOVE IT!  This is where I make my lists, where we write the things that we run out of, the weekly menu (basically its a list of everything that I can cook so that we are staring blankly at the fridge wondering what to eat) and... You get the idea right? Good.  The lists also ensure that important things don't get forgotten.  I am also getting in the habit of making sure that important dates make in to the calendar on my phone!

Now that I have my list of things to do I make time for them.  This is where the "Take 5" comes in!! 

 In the morning I do 5 things.  This is general "Pick - Up" things. Start a load of clothes, unload the dishwasher, wipe down the bathroom counter...that sorta thing.  I have been getting up a little earlier everyday to sort of train myself and timing myself during the "get ready" process.  I won't time myself forever. I am doing it now so that I can be more aware of how much time each thing takes me.  Like I know that I can to my make up in 5 minutes...but if I don't watch the time could take me 10.  I have NO concept of time.  I can easily waste 15 minutes on absolutely nothing. I am hoping that by being more aware of the time that I will get in to a routine and I will be able to get ready in the same amount of time everyday!

During lunch I do 5 more things.  These things are more "do while watching TV" type things. I am home for lunch so I usually watch something from the DVR so during that time I can fold clothes or something mindless.   Of these 5 things I do 2 things that I want to do.  Not a chore...something I enjoy. Editing photos, reading or writing, blogging...this keeps lunch enjoyable but I still get something done.

In the evening, I do 2 "have tos" and 3 "want tos"!  This is the best!  Since I did some little things earlier in the day the house doesn't need much and I get to relax with Will and enjoy my evening!! This also leaves the weekends free from the restraints that household chores put on us!

Just to give you an idea of how things are going...

I started Saturday with the board full of things to do.

It is now Thursday and my list is gone and the house is very clean and organized...for the most part. I got up at 5:30 this morning and STAYED up after Will left (in the past if I get up I just go back to sleep).  It really wasn't that big of a deal.  I got to do a lot and it was kinda relaxing! The best part is I don't feel over worked...I feel accomplished.  I even had time to work on me.  I exercised and BLOGGED!  I even got to leave some comment love! 

I am sure that there is someone out there that will read this and think...really?  She needs to do all this to stay organized and she doesn't even have kids??  Yes.  Yes I do.  I hope that some of this will just become habit. That I won't have to be so strict on myself. 

Maybe someone will read this and think...no way!  Me too!!

Sorry this was a bit lengthy.  I do usually do long posts.  If you are still here...thank you!

Remember that time...

Remember that time I was so super excited to have my eye surgery and be rid of the glasses and contacts that I have been wearing for more than 20 years (that is basically my ENTIRE life, by the way)???


Remember that time I had my sister (Dear Sweet Amanda...I LOVE YOU) come all the way from Texas on Easter weekend to be with me for the previously mentioned surgery?


Remember that time the secretary at the surgeons office called while we were actually in route to the office to cancel said surgery??


Remember that time I had a melt down over all of this??


Well as it turns out... Will had to have an emergency appendectomy (isn't it always and emergency??) and he was on deployment in Philadelphia.  There is no way that I could have driven 8 hours to get him right after having surgery.  So...Bright side- Amanda and I had a fabulous sister weekend. I made it to Will while he was still very heavily medicated (which made the 8 hour solo drive TOTALLY worth it). Eye surgery is set for this FRIDAY!!!  Wish me luck...and if you could wish for perfectly functioning equipment that would be greatly appreciated!

Letting go...

of stress.

of worry.

of insecurities.

of doubt.

of fear.

of all the things that I can’t control.

of things that hurt me.

Holding tight…

to faith.

to my loved ones.

to the things that bring me joy.

to things that I can change.

to the knowledge that I have.

to things that give me strength.

I know…

that I am flawed.

that some of those flaws are ok.

that if I work hard I change the ones that are not ok.

that my Redeemer lives.

that I am a daughter of God.

This is what I learned from my soul searching. I have been struggling a little and now I know why. I needed to refocus, re-organize and prioritize.

So, I'm working on it.