April Fools

I just had to have a little fun today with the April Fools Day jokes. Nothing too big, but playing a little trick on the kids is a tad bit fun. 

First Victim: Carter

I used my cell phone and called our home phone and answered it. I then called up to Carter to let him know the phone was for him. He comes running like anytime the phone is for him. He asks me "Who is it?" I tell him, "It's Arby's!" He immediately gets excited because he is thinking they must not need him at work! He answers the phone "Hello.... Hello..." At this point I contemplate... should I tell him to call them back, that they must have hung up... or end the joke there with "April Fools!" I go for the latter... I don't want to push the joke to far and have WW3 on my hands..

Second Victim: Mackenzie

I use my cell phone again and call her. I say, "Hey sweetie! Are you home?" She says, "Yes." I say, "Well, I've been knocking and you aren't answering the door. Do you want to let me in?' She says, "OH, You're here!! Yay!!" She hangs up and goes to the door.. I presume. I call her back immediately. She says, "Where are you?" I say, "April Fools!" She says, "You are a horrible person! I thought I was getting a good surprise!" Awe, sorry honey... I promise I will surprise you for real someday soon!!

Watch out Alexa.... you could be the third victim!!!

Waiting for Summer

I have about had it with winter. Today is the first day of spring and what do we wake up to? SNOW!! I am sick of the snow!! That groundhog was wrong!!! I can't take the snow any longer!! So, for today, I am not looking outside while I write this post! I am thinking of summer (my favorite season). I am thinking of green grass, blue skies, summertime activities and refreshing drinks.... oh how I am basking in sunshiny thoughts!

I pinned this refreshment today... Summertime Sangria... I may just make this before summer hits! Here's the recipe:

1 Bottle White Zinfandel

8 ozs of Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

6 ozs of Peach-Flavored Mixer

8 ozs of pineapple juice

16 ozs of pineapple rum 

Assorted fresh fruits: strawberries, pineapple, lemons, limes, oranges, or peaches

Mix, refrigerate & serve!

Now I'm going to take that drink and sit in my dreamy spot and enjoy!

Please summer come soon!!!!

STITCH FIX

What is Stitch Fix? It's my new LOVE! Basically, it's a personal stylist that picks things for you based on a profile you fill out. The profile shows you pictures and asks how much you like something, asks for your size of course :( and likes/dislikes in clothing. For example... I hate wool, it's so scratchy. So, I said No Wool Please! Anyway, you then schedule when you want your fix to come. The stylist puts together 5 items for you for a $20 styling fee (that goes towards what you purchase) and packages them so nicely and mails it to your door (how convenient). I signed up because I wanted to see new styles and step out of my Ann Taylor Loft box! Don't get me wrong I still love the Loft, but I wanted something new and different. The items from Stitch Fix are more boutique style clothing. Something new for me!

If you are interested in getting your fix on just check it out here. I am not affiliated with Stitch Fix or paid to promote them. I just really loved it and when you follow my link I do get credit toward my next fix :) 

Without further ado, here we go on my fix journey!

I got all giddy when the doorbell rang! The box took only 2 days to get from California to Ohio. Yay!

Inside the cover of the box, you see the directions on the process of trying on, deciding what to get and how to check out and send back what you don't want to keep.

Inside, I jumped a little when I saw the color beneath the card, but I stopped myself from grabbing and opened the card first.

Inside the card is the note I got with prices and what to do after I went through my box.

Sorry for this next picture, it is blurry, but here is the first item I pulled out... you know that pretty color I saw peaking out from under the card. Ahhhh... I love this dress. It's priced at $58 which is along the line of what I spend at the Loft, but this is from Honey Punch. It was a perfect fit and the top of it is so cute. Keeping it! 

With each item, they send a style card that shows you ideas on how to wear it!

Next item... a cute top by Mia Melon. (yes, my eyes are closed in this picture Patty!) The top has cutouts in the back with cute buttons running down the back. It is $58 which is normally a lot more than I spend on a top. But, this was not my usual style and it was so lovely on and the cutout and buttons were to die for! Keeping it... but on my checkout I did tell my stylist that It was more than I like to spend on tops.

My next item is black leggings. For those of you who don't know me, I love me some leggings and a dress. So, I told the stylist beforehand that I wanted a spring dress with leggings and she happily fulfilled my request. You will see the leggings in a couple of the outfits... the one above and in a little bit. I loved the leggings... they were nothing like the ones I have... they are so soft and lightweight for spring... they are from 41 Hawthorn... keeping them for $48. A bit pricy for leggings, but when keeping all items, you get a 25% discount and I was loving my box! So, keeping the soft, lovely leggings! 

Sorry the photo is upside down, but it won't turn around :(

 I really want the striped dress on the style card!! I'm going to see if they have any in my size! It never hurts to ask!! 

My next item is 41 Hawthorn Calafia Jersey Wrap dress. I loved this with the capped sleeves and of course the leggings... perfect for spring. The dress opens in the front with a long string tie. So cute. This item is also $58 which is on target with the Loft items I buy. Love it and Keeping it. 

Once again, my picture won't turn! But, here's the style card.

 My last item is a Gray and White striped loop scarf by DDCC. I'm not normally a scarf wearing kind of girl, but I loved this scarf. It is so versatile and soft and pretty. It is priced at $45 which I told the stylist is too high for an accessory in my future fixes and to not send a scarf each time because I won't keep them all the time. But, this one.... LOVE. Mackenzie already wants to steal it from me!! 

 I am keeping all 5 items in my Fix because I LOVE them all and will get 25% off. Perfect! If I had chosen not to keep something, all I needed to do was put it in the prepaid postage mailer included in my Stitch Fix box and drop it in the mailbox. How easy is that?

I am loving this place. Check them out here and see what you think!

December Daily

I'm trying my hand at a December Daily album and the daily journaling that comes with that. The December Daily idea comes from Ali Edwards. She does one every year and it is always so awesome. While I'm making the December Daily my own, I am also taking a class at shimelle.com called Journal Your Christmas. I thought by combining the Journaling with a December Daily album, I would have a unique memoir of the holidays this year. My book will be called Anticipating December 25. Now let's hope I stick with it!!

The album I'm using comes from the December Daily kit at Studio Calico. I misted (Mr. Huey) the album first and then used clear crackle paint (Tim Holtz). Inside the cover, I pasted the calendar page- I still need to fill in the stuff we will be doing!

My journal prompt for today is "This Christmas I will..."

Believe in ... the spirit of the holiday, the love that surrounds me and the Lord, my God.

Be grateful for... my family and friends, my health and my family's health and our jobs.

Always remember... to have faith in those who love me and in myself!

And, finally, a Christmas Manifesto from Shimelle.

Homecoming 2011

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted on my blog. Thanks Lisa for bringing that to my attention! I hope to get some pages up here someday too. But for now, I have to post the pictures of Carter's homecoming. 

He actually let me take some pictures- I think he knew there was no way out of it! He is just like his father. Look at this and you will see where he gets the no photo attitude from.

Steve is looking for anyway to avoid the camera!

So, then look what his son does!

Finally, they give in to me when they realize I'm not giving up on the issue!

I just love that I got this picture though! It makes me happy!

I also had to be sneaky to get this next one too! He was so excited about the flower he got for his date and I wanted the picture of him going off to meet her! Got it! It took some persistence, but I was successful!

I really had to hold back my tears as he was leaving our house for homecoming. It hit me then that this is the beginning of him finding his way in life without me! Sniffle, sniffle!

Prom

Believe it or not, I made it through without tears for the girls to see! Just a few tears after they were gone. Normally, I'm the crying, sobby girl. But, this time I found myself just caught up in their happiness and excitement that I didn't even have time to think about it being the last school dance and what not! 

 Mackenzie

Alexa

Believe it or not, I took over 300 pictures! Now is that nuts or what? Well, think of it this way... if you were taking pictures of one child's event, you may take 150 pictures right? So, that's how I'm justifying my 300!

Believe it or not, Steve got in the pictures without any begging on my part! Yay!!!

Believe it or not, the tux shop gave Garron the wrong size pants!

Believe it or not, these 3 girls started their first dance in this spot together and took a bittersweet picture once again.

Believe it or not, the rain stopped for a minute for a quick outdoor photo!

Believe it or not, I got 2nd row at the Grand March, front and center for the photo op!

Believe it or not, the charter buses taking the kids to prom said "Precious Cargo" !! 

Believe it or not, I may be back tomorrow with a few post prom pictures!!

Prom Court

I just realized that I hadn't posted Mackenzie's prom invite for all to see! Well, today is the perfect day to do that since she just found out she is on the Prom Court!!!! I'm so excited for her!! She would make a great Queen don't ya think?! And, that would make me the Queen Mother then huh?! Watch out Princess Kate, a new royal family is in town- hahaha!!!

Anyway, on with the pics of Mackenzie and Tyler! Of course Joan, Carter and I posed as the paparazzi for the occasion!

Pregame- waiting for the gates to open to the Indians game!

Mackenzie was hoping for some signatures- no such luck!

There it is- the invite to prom! So cute, huh?! We almost missed it because Ketchup, Mustard and Onion were slinging hotdogs at the same time! Uh, hello condiments! How dare you distract the audience at such a big moment for my daughter!!!

Carter, Joan and I sat in a section over and down a few rows so we were able to catch the perfect moment!

Good luck Princess Mackenzie! I would stuff the ballot box for sure if I could :)