January 2011 « Girly Muse

Archive for the ‘January 2011’ Category

Another Season

January 31, 2011

It’s snowing this morning. If anyone needs a flocked Christmas tree, I’ve got the hook-up.

I have had the most glorious week. Nothing earth shattering has happened. There has been the usual flurry of events~ going away parties, babies being born (yay!), kids to watch, families to take care of~ but it’s just been extra GOOD.

I attribute this to two things…

One is SLEEP. I have slept this week. Long, blissful, uninterrupted sleep is so unusual for me. I might fall asleep early, but then I’ll wake up several times in the night and may or may not go back to sleep. If I do take a nap, I have a hard time falling to sleep that night. Not so, this week. I wore myself out good and proper in Dallas and nothing seems to be deterring me from getting caught up on my rest. I took naps AND slept all night long for the past week.

Ahhh.

Soooo good.

The second thing is simply that I have my head back on straight. My thinking is right again. The crud has lifted. What seemed unsatisfactory before now seems actually quite good. I have decided to be happy, content and grateful. I wish I knew exactly how this comes~ all I know is that I have prayed for it and it has returned. Thanks be to God.

These two things go hand in hand because really one without the other is not complete~ you need sleep and you need happiness…without one, you are at the very least, foggy. I have been in the constant state of foggy and funk for a good long while now and am so happy to be seeing my way out of it.

I haven’t even really been able to write about it~ who wants to write about the blues all the time? And having been one to never really be depressed, I haven’t known what to even do with myself and this turn of events.

I’m not naive enough to believe it won’t return, especially with my age and the upcoming things I have to look forward to with womanhood (blech!), but I pray for the wisdom and strength to know that it does eventually pass, that I need to wait it out, and that I’m not the only one going through this.

For those of you who have never struggled with depression, you might not relate to anything I’ve said in this post…this is not for you. For those of you who have, maybe something I’ve said will help. I sincerely hope so.

I told my friend, Staci, last week that I’ve just tried to think of all that is good in my life and even in my relationships~ all that I LOVE about that person~ and it really does shift your thinking when you’ve been in a negative way for so long. Yesterday, it was funny, my pastor basically said the same thought. If you wake up each day and think about all you’re grateful for~ thank you that I woke up, thank you that I can stand on my two feet, thank you that I have a warm place to live, thank you for this food to eat, thank you that I am breathing…pretty soon, you really are thankful.

Even the things that I’m tired of~ like the snow…when I appreciate the beauty of it, such as the flocked trees this morning~ I don’t even feel the cold quite so much.

Posted in Grateful Heart, January 2011, Life | 6 Comments »

The New American Idol

January 27, 2011

Is anybody watching American Idol this season? What do you think about the new judges? I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. I’m enjoying how much fun they’re having in there. Steven Tyler is hilarious, Jennifer is lovely and Randy seems to be refreshed by both of them.

Did you watch last night? If so, you saw my husband doing leaps of joy.

That very sentence tickles me to no end.

My husband doesn’t really do excited.

But…

That’s Seacrest in the middle. Ha!

Our nephew (Nate’s sister’s son), Chris Lawrence, went to the tryouts in Milwaukee. Nate was there with him and they had quite the experience. This has been months ago now and you can imagine how HARD it has been to not say anything about it. You know I dig me some American Idol.

Sadly, they didn’t show Chris’s audition last night, but he did get a golden ticket. Maybe we’ll see him sing more in Hollywood. He can sing the socks off of just about anybody…

He’s sweet, too. And pretty cute.

We’re wishing you the very best, Chris! Whatever happens, I know you’re beyond gifted and your music will be heard. You’ve already got the best fans in the world.

Posted in American Idol, Family, January 2011 | 13 Comments »

Red Velvet and Uggs

January 26, 2011

I’m home! I got in late last night and went and woke up the kids to kiss their faces off. So good to see their sweet selves and their sweet daddy, too. They party-hardied the whole time I was gone. Nate kept them busy with fun places to go and ALSO had the house all straightened by the time I got home, which was so appreciated. Greyley let it slip on the phone the other night that the laundry hadn’t been done the whole time I’d been gone. I know what that pile looks like! I was thrilled to not see it when I got home. That’s a good man for ya~ thanks, Orville.

Last working day/outfit picture…I knew I could not wear anything but my Uggs, so I had to put an impromptu outfit together to halfway go with the shoes. My feet thanked me. They’re still waking me up in the night and griping though…they might never forgive me for last week.

I give huge kudos to all the fashion blogs out there. I don’t know how you do the cute outfit pictures every day.

It’s wonderful to be home~ so good to see my family. It’s also hard to say good-bye to everybody in Dallas. I’m so glad I was able to spend time with dear friends that I don’t get to see nearly enough. Wish we all lived closer together! Extra special thanks to Mark & Lori for allowing me to invade their phenomenal condo…complete with CUPCAKES.

OK, I can’t say that without showing you the picture, can I…

ALL delicious, but the Red Velvet (bottom left and top right) far superceded the rest…The Cupcakery on McKinney. Yum!

I feel extra-specially blessed this morning to have such wonderful friends in my life. My family and I are so grateful for each one of you. XO

Posted in Fashion, Friends, Grateful Heart, January 2011 | 5 Comments »

Blue Skies

January 24, 2011

Happy Monday!

I’m back in Dallas this morning~ spent the weekend in Austin. Normally, when I come work at Market, I am there for the duration, but THIS time, I was able to sneak away and do some music with my dear buddy, Staci Frenes, in Austin. A small crew of us from Dallas went to play with her and we had the best time. We have dear friends, Chad and Denise, that we all stay with when we come here.

It wasn’t all work…take a look at what we did!

See that yellow thing behind us?

Yep.

That’s what we did.

Oh, wait a second, I’m getting distracted by the view. I was in a building for a week~ going from parking garage to parking garage, without going outside…it felt so good to miss the cold spell that hit Dallas and get a nice warm day in Austin. The sunshine was healing.

Ahhhhhh.

Lake Travis~ it’s surrounded by gorgeous mansions and beautiful bluffs. Of course, the water would be enough in itself. I just like to be around water, don’t you?

I learned over the weekend that it’s even more fun to be flying OVER the water…in a tiny airplane…with skis…or whatever it’s called.

Whatever it is, I like it. Love it. Very love it.

No, not solo flying, though. I mean, maybe I WOULD love that, but not for the first time up. I decided to take my trusty friend, Chad…he’s a seasoned professional. Technically, he took ME up in the air and I am very grateful he got me back on the ground safely, too.

Hi, Chad!

He can’t talk right now. He’s very busy flying this plane.

Up, up and away!

I could really get used to this!

This beats Southwest any day.

Posted in Friends, January 2011, Travel | 8 Comments »

Thursday

January 21, 2011

Here’s what happened yesterday…

I was bloated.

Sorry, that’s just the truth. It happens. Unfortunate, but just part of life, I guess.

Hence, the three outfit changes and I didn’t bring any “extras”…

(Let’s have a word of prayer that the bloat melts by Sunday…OK, why wait, God, how about by the next 20 minutes?!)

Decided on an outfit finally, but we were running a little behind by that time.

Did have a fun bonding This is Like Having a Sister! Only Better! moment in the bathroom with Lori, though, where we decided getting ready together (and borrowing each others’ tights!) that this was so much BETTER than even being Twins, since our names are the same. It was beautiful.

I guess you had to be there.

Needed to wait to take pictures since we didn’t have extra time.

Worked very long and very hard. Sold loads of stuff and made new friends.

Saw my parents and had such a great time laughing with them at supper. (Black-Eyed Pea) It was just a tease, though…way too brief and way too sweet. Short and sweet. But better than nothing!!!

Came back to Lori’s place and tried to get an outfit picture before I changed clothes.

Laughed until we cried at goofy things that only we can laugh at and got some fabulous blurry pictures. You can thank Lori for that one. OK, me too, because I was the one making her laugh. And then she made me laugh and then I made her laugh and 5 blurry pictures later, we gave up…and just laughed.

The End, Give or Take a Few Things

Posted in Fashion, January 2011, Market | 2 Comments »

Black, Cream & Red

January 20, 2011

First day of Market AND dinner with my parents!

Very fun, exhausting, exciting, overwhelming, exhilarating, hilarious, heartwarming and ultimately…delicious…yes, that sums up my day.

My dad is coincidentally working in Dallas the next two days. How fun is that! We had a really nice supper at Lucky’s Cafe and a lovely, but far too short visit. I’ll see them again tonight.

The Taking Pictures Thing is easier said than done. I know there are probably pretty days outside, but so far I haven’t seen daylight, so let’s just enjoy the florescent lighting, why don’t we.

I want to lie and say that I’m not really this pale, but I actually am.

I have never felt lovelier!

Ha!

Dress: TJ Maxx

Red boots: Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: On loan from Occasionally Made

Bracelet: On loan from Viva Beads

Posted in Fashion, January 2011, Market | 7 Comments »

Fashion Training

January 19, 2011

Well, here we are. I have a whole new respect for my friends who post pictures of themselves on a regular basis. It’s tricky!

I’m staying with my friends, Lori and Mark, in downtown Dallas. Lori and I left for work while it was still dark yesterday…and got home way past dark too. LONG DAY.

I coerced Lori into taking my picture way too early yesterday morning. We were sleepy from staying up too late, too…you know, you have to catch up a little after not seeing each other for a while! So fun. We’ll have to get pictures of the view outside her windows at some point~ it is a SPECTACULAR view!!! Way up high…

First day of training. Spent 13 hours standing and listening/learning/trying not to fall asleep. I thought my shoes were comfy, but turns out…not so much when just standing still. I’m rethinking my shoes for the whole rest of the week after my feet cried out in bitterness last night.

However, on a regular basis, such as a night out or an event with very little walking, these shoes are wonderful.

Imagine the view of all views just a little more to the LEFT…

Black shirt: Old Navy, gift from my Mama

Dress: TJ Maxx, sales rack (YES!)

Boots: DSW, gift from my husband

Necklace: one I made

So the next picture is what has rocked my world this winter. I bought this coat when I went to see my friend, Brenda, in West Virginia. We found this amazing coat at a vintage clothing shop and even though it was a little bit big, I could NOT resist it. I have not regretted it once. It is my favorite clothing piece ever.

Hopefully, it’s a LITTLE more flattering on me than it is in this picture. I actually don’t really care~ it is that comfortable and soft.

And if I told you how much I paid for it, you’d just go ahead and shoot me. I practically stole it. It just makes me love it all the more.

Today: First day of Market…hopefully I will remember at least 20% of all I learned yesterday. Eek. It could get dicey.

Posted in Fashion, January 2011, Market, Travel | 7 Comments »

The Dark Side

January 17, 2011

While you’re reading this, I will be either be getting ready or on my way to Dallas…to Market, to Market…I’m so excited to see everybody and to WORK.

I’m really going to try to do the outfits/picture thing, so stay tuned…

**********************************************************************************************

I was recently tempted to go back to stealing.

Now, hold onto your seat and let me explain.

I love soft toilet paper. I used to try to save money and buy the cheapest brand, but over time and trying out every single toilet paper known to man…also, after having to use biodegradable toilet paper one winter…

I know that I love…

Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper. It is the toilet paper of all toilet papers.

Let us have a moment of silence.

So, here’s how it works around here…my mother-in-law and I will get things for each other when we’re out. If she needs a prescription picked up and I’m out, I’ll grab it for her. If she’s going to the store and I need say…toilet paper…she’ll pick it up for me.

I thought she knew about my Charmin Ultra Soft fixation. Apparently not. She came home with the You Name It Ultra THIN toilet paper. You know the kind. With Charmin, it takes 3 squares, with You Name It Ultra THIN, it takes about 20…all to do the same job, if you know what I mean, Butterbean.

I’ve suffered in silence. Well, until now.

I realized when I was in Red Lobster over the weekend and was tempted to steal their toilet paper~ no, it’s not even Charmin!!! but it’s softer than You Name It!!!~ that I was in big trouble.

I made up the name You Name It Ultra Thin, OK? Just in case you were wanting to go out and try some…it is Joe Schmoe, Insert Name of Toilet Paper here, toilet paper. Don’t go asking the cashier for You Name It, OK?

I digress.

Well, I didn’t steal it, but I sure wanted to. And as I struggled with temptation, I was transported back to another day and another decade (almost two) when I did steal…toilet paper.

Bible School is where I learned how to steal, among other things. You see, at Bible School, I was broke. Weren’t we all broke in college? My parents were so sweet to send lovely care packages with M&Ms and all sorts of other surprises (usually with some cash tucked away, too) but I never did let them know about my need for toilet paper.

I don’t know about you, but when you’re broke, toilet paper is just not on the top of your list of Must Haves. You need gasoline and cute outfits for the choir concert and you know, important things like that. So toilet paper was often forgotten.

There was easy access to a bathroom~ the one by the front office. The trouble with that was that after curfew, I didn’t want to get in trouble for sneaking out to that bathroom.

So I had to do it during the daylight hours. Every now and then, when things would get really dire, I’d go get a roll…or two…just to get by.

Bible School toilet paper was the It Takes 20 Sheets, just so you know. I guess it’s a good thing. If it had been Charmin, I would have had to sign up for Stealers Anonymous.

How many Anonymous groups have I signed up for now?

Thank you for letting me get that out. They say that confession is good for the soul.

Posted in Confession is Good for the Soul, January 2011, Touchy Subjects | 5 Comments »

Ignore this

January 13, 2011

Good morning. It seems as if sniffles are back in the air. Thought we just got over those…hopefully you are drip free wherever you are.

I am wondering if anyone has good book recommendations for me. I received a gift card for Christmas and would like to put a few great books on my Nook. I’m getting ready to go work at Market again in Dallas and will have time to read on the plane. Any suggestions? It probably doesn’t need to be too heavy, just in case I get next to a chatty and have to read in snippets.

On the other hand, maybe if it’s super intense, I won’t even hear the chatty!

As always with this trip, I have to think about what I’m going to wear more than usual. Not only is it business attire, which is not something I have to do on a daily basis, but it has to be COOL and FUNKY…for like, 8 days in a row. (I hope you inserted Valley Girl tone there.)

I like to think I am cool and funky, but I’m really not every day. Gasp, Wheeze, Snort! I know! It’s shocking, isn’t it…

And listen to this…it’s cold in Dallas right now. Can you BELIEVE it? I am hoping God in heaven will have mercy on me and bring warmth to the city while I am there. I need just a bit of a break from the Minnesota cold/snow. I know all of you are digging it over there~ Ooo, snow!~ but it can come back as soon as I leave, OK? Deal?

And if you’re really desperate for it, I have about 2 feet of snow (and in some places around 5 feet) that has surrounded my house since November~ you’re welcome to come get some of that and take it to wherever your heart desires. It’s FREE!

Anyhoo, I’m thinking I might do like my friend, Jilliebean, does over at Spoils of Wear and post my outfits…a What I Wore kind of week. We shall see. I might have to actually do it before I go since time seems so limited when I am there. Time seems so limited here too…why, I might just talk myself out of this before I even get dressed!

Can you tell I’m a little befrazzled?

No, I didn’t mean bedazzled, although I wish I did.

I haven’t had my coffee yet.

That’s what it is.

I, uh…have to…go…now.

Posted in Fashion, January 2011, Snow, Travel | 5 Comments »

Click, Click, Click

January 12, 2011

My friend, Jonathan~ that you saw on here yesterday~ is releasing his single today! He writes a variety of styles and either other artists record them or he records them himself. Click HERE and you can hear him singing, “How Do You Sleep.” His voice is amazing.

All his friends are spreading the word to get his single in the Top 10 on Itunes. For .99 you can be part of history.

How Do You Sleep?

Posted in January 2011, Music | 1 Comment »