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Update & Blah-de-Blahs

August 4, 2011

Here’s the deal~ my dad was sent home from the hospital last night, but it seems it’s because they’re not sure what to do with him quite yet and not because they have any answers. I’m hoping miraculous things are taking place and that’s what’s REALLY going on, but for now, we’re still really concerned about him.

His EKG was normal, but it’s always been normal~ that’s kinda scary, right?

One doctor thinks one thing and the other doctor thinks another. He does still have blockage, but they didn’t do the test to see how much it’s blocked now. They sent him home with nitro, which he hasn’t been able to take since surgery since his blood pressure has been so low. They also told him to come right back if he has increased chest pain and shortness of breath, which has already been happening..

Just have to surrender and trust. Hurry up and wait. Let go and let God.

Are there any other good ones? Um…Jesus take the wheel? Oh wait, that’s a country song. That can’t apply, can it?

Settle down. Country fans don’t get your belt buckle in a bind.

In other depressing news, my daughter took a huge spill rollerblading yesterday. She is all banged up~ hands, stomach and oh the knees…the poor, poor knees. We doctored her up and kissed her tears and felt all the stomach cringes that come when our children are suffering. Nate told her he fell in love with the girl who had the scar on her knee~Aww~ (Yes, that’s me~ riding on handlebars with a friend, went flying and sliding down a gravel road on my stomach. Ouch. And NOT a pretty scar.) but we are hopeful that she won’t have scars. I have scar treatment ready JUST in case.

I’m NOT working at the Minneapolis Mart for the show coming up~ turns out all 26 sales reps are coming, so I’m not needed. I would have enjoyed it, I’m sure, but am glad to have more summer days with my kids! My last day was yesterday! Woohoo! I’ll go back and work there in December and January.

We almost piled in the car and headed to Arkansas, but will wait a couple weeks and go when we were originally planning. It’s hard to be here with all that’s going on there~ I’m torn in a big way.

The temperature was 114 in Arkansas yesterday. OH MY WORD! That’s so stinkin’ hot! We had record-breaking heat here a couple weeks ago, but now have settled back to our slightly warmer-than-normal 85º range. It’s been gorgeous. I feel guilty for even saying it~ I’m sorry for all of you across the country, sweltering in the heat~ truly, I am.

Well, I just have a rambling bug this morning. I’m going to publish this thing before I come up with another slew of conversation starters. Happy Thursday. And thank you for all your wonderful wishes yesterday~ I appreciate your prayers more than I can even express. It means so much to my parents too, to see all the people who are praying for us. Thank you!! XO

Posted in August 2011, Family, Market, Parents | 11 Comments »

Summer Wish List

July 18, 2011

I started a new job this past Saturday~ working at the Markwest showroom in the Minnesota Gift Mart. It’s nice because it feels like a smaller version of the showroom in Dallas that I work in, so it’s familiar. Right now, we’re in the set-up stages, getting ready for the show in August. If you live in Minnesota and are coming out to the Mart, come in and see me!

I’m grateful for the work, truly I am, but I’ll be honest~ it’s difficult for me to be joyful, leaving while it’s summer and the kids are out of school. Fortunately, they are absolutely fine…they’re going out on the lake today, lucky ducks. Having already been gone from them for 2 weeks this summer and then Greyley being at camp the next week, I feel like my time with them is flying by. Summer is going to be gone in a flash.

Wish List for the Rest of Summer:

Fresh corn

Grill out lots, lots more

Watermelon

Go out on a lake, any lake

Go swimming

See fireworks (I missed July 4th)

Sleep in super late…numerous times

Long road trip

Mini road trip

A night or two in a hotel would be fun

Loads of laughing

Long walks outside

Fresh flowers

Peaches

Ice cream

Read 20 books

Did I mention sleep already?

Maybe we can cross all these off the list this summer. So far, we’re off to a good start. I’m happy that my children have been able to do so many fun things already~ they’re sleeping well at night!

What should we add to this list?

Posted in Family, July 2011, Market, Summer | 5 Comments »

I Tawt I Taw A Pig!

July 13, 2011

A long time ago, in a land far away, Nate began the tradition of buying presents for everyone when he went on a trip. A tradition like that is one that will not fade quickly, it MUST carry on! In fact, it has been clear from the second trip on, that presents were clearly expected to pop out of a backpack or suitcase upon arrival.

Hugs were cut just a wee bit short and a not so subtle glance around to see, “Could he/she have pulled out my present during that hug?”

“Is my present in the suitcase?”

“Backpack?”

“Purse?”

“It’s in the suitcase, right?”

“Where is…”

When I go to Dallas, I don’t always have time to shop. I know…I’m at Market and all, but you can’t really buy things and take them home, you have to order them and WAIT. So I usually avoid that and either go to a mall or hit the airport up for their goods.

The last time, I decided I wanted to order something fun from the showroom I work in…order something that would be worth the wait…

I even let the kids know before I came home that I wouldn’t have anything with me, but it would be arriving in a box before too long. As you can guess, Indigo is the one who is all about it now…although, don’t let Greyley fool you, she’s into it too…and she certainly had her heyday of, “Is something in there for meeee?”

Well, Indigo got the memo, but it didn’t quite sink in. He could not BELIEVE that I didn’t actually have something tangible for him to HAVE right when I got home. And when I think about it, I don’t really blame him. I was gone a long time, he missed me…he needs a little prize. Right?

He thought so.

I said…on the 3rd, 4th and 5th day that the box didn’t come, “It will come and you’re gonna LIKE it.”

Well, by the 7th day, I was saying, “So you mean you’d rather I buy a cheap little tacky toy from the AIRPORT just so you’d have something right when I get home, huh.”

And he said, “Yes.”

It just so happens that the box for them came the day I left for Arkansas and they loved their sock monkeys (stuffed sock monkeys AND sock monkey BACKPACKS!) very much. But then when I came home from Arkansas, I knew I had to have something right away and I hadn’t been to the store at all, not even once. Even the gift shop at the hospital was closed when I finally found it and then closed the next 3 days because of the July 4th holiday…

Well, if you can even believe it, Arkansas AND St. Louis both have nice airport shops. I was halfway hoping to bring something tacky just to prove my point, but no…no, I found the BEST GIFTS EVER.

Why, yes, that’s the Razorbacks’ snout!

And what is that on their shoulders, you ask? Why, that’s a shoulder pet, of course! I didn’t know it, but Indigo has been wanting a shoulder pet, like, his whole LIFE and it’s the BEST PRESENT HE’S EVERRRR GOTTEN and he loves it more than a DS or even a 100 DS’s and even Wii too…

The way he’s played with that thing, I almost believe him!

Thank God for airport gift shops. They saved my life. Find one near you and you, too, can have children like this…

Posted in Family, July 2011, Kids, Mama Musings, Market, Shopping, Travel | 6 Comments »

Catch Your Breath

June 27, 2011

I have been missing it over here on Girly Muse! I had a crazy week in Dallas and then came home to a crazy weekend with our Youth Choir’s 20th Reunion.

First of all, Dallas was so fun. It’s always great to see everybody and catch up. Work went well~ it’s always fun to see how much everything changes in the showrooms each time. There are people that I get attached to who have moved on to other places in the Trade Center, so that’s always a little bit sad, but then there are new fun people to get to know too. I was able to visit with friends in the early part of the week and then concentrate more on working the second half.

I might even have a little bit of a tan from some of that fun. Woohoo. I don’t even recognize myself tan anymore, it’s such a shock.

I didn’t take a single picture~ can you believe it?

My feet survived. They only hurt like they normally would from being on them all day, every day. Nothing like last time, whew.

I had great Mexican food all week…besides Jason’s Deli and one fabulous barbeque place that I don’t know the name of and a good sushi place, I ate all Mexican and loved every minute of it. I think, so far, my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Dallas area is Mi Cocina in Plano. I thought it was Mi Casita, but looks like it’s Mi Cocina…sorry if I steered any of you wrong~ I did recommend it a few dozen times or so. The brisket tacos are the best I’ve ever had and so is the chicken tortilla soup.

I had a run-in with a pool gate/latch that gave me a nasty bruise. The colors changed into exquisite blues, reds and purples every day and I had to answer a LOT of questions about that…I even put make up on it to cover it up and still had people offering to take care of whoever had roughed me up. It’s turned into a nice yellow and purple concoction today. It was a pool gate, people, no need to get your fists out.

There was thunder like no other thunder. Land sakes, I thought it was coming in to snatch me. I love storms and don’t typically get scared, but one storm startled me so abruptly out of sleep and just kept on making my stomach drop.

And then the reunion…I got home Friday afternoon and went to the church right away. It was the 20th choir reunion and the 10th reunion of our “Washed” CD. We had a big dinner that night and visited and reminisced. It was wonderful and emotional. Saturday we rehearsed all day…oh my, it sounded so good. We filled the choir loft to overflowing and the songs were just right there in our memories even after not singing some of them for 10 plus years. It was a beautiful thing.

Sunday night was the big concert and I wish you could have all experienced it. I think it might have been my favorite concert EVER. I can’t even appropriately express how fun it was.

This morning I am feeling the need for coffee and a massage. Doesn’t that sound nice? Happy Monday. Missed all you bloggy friends. XO

Posted in ABC Youth Choir, June 2011, Market | 2 Comments »

Book Love and To Market I Go

June 16, 2011

It’s that time again…I’m heading to Dallas for Market. This time will be a little different~ I’m working before it begins and only midway through Market. I have to get back next weekend for the ABCYC Reunion~ weeha!

I’m a little nervous~ I injured my feet the last time I worked Market and it took me four months to recover…am actually still dealing with the issue, although they’re WAY better than they were. Say a prayer for me that my feet will survive. I cannot afford another four months of virtually no exercise, just for one thing…and for another, I like my feet and want to keep them around…with feeling and no scary tingling, preferably.

One dilemma (I was taught to spell it dilemna, but apparently that is wrong. Dilemma sure makes more sense, but that never stopped the English language before…um, I digress.) I have when packing for Dallas or anywhere in the hot and lovely Southern states, is that while it is SO hot outside, it is SO cold INSIDE. I am trying to decide on the perfect little wrap to go with all my outfits so I don’t freeze to death even though it’s 103º outside. I’m thinking my trusty jean jacket might do the trick.

I have my Nook loaded up for the flights~ right now I am reading How To Be Good by Nick Hornby. I really enjoy his writing. He has that British humor that I love. I also have A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan, Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella and The D Word by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, to name a few. You can never have too many books. I need something light and fun for a stressful and busy week. These will do the trick.

Speaking of The D Word, Liz and Lisa are the authors that write the blog chicklitisnotdead.com/. It’s a really fun blog that features a variety of female authors and has awesome giveaways. I love reading the 5 Do’s and Do Over Lists of each author featured. Check out their blog. You’ll get hooked AND you’ll win books! I’ve won at least 5 from them…so great!

We’ll be shipping out headbands today. For some of you fine folks, you will be receiving Nate’s packaging/Little Works of Art…hopefully the result will be lovely, non-crushed beauties! I think they will make you smile.

Jacket and Nook, check. Yep, that should do it. If you’re in the Dallas area next week at Market, come say hello. I’ll be in the New Generation showroom. XO

Posted in ABC Youth Choir, Books, Headbands, June 2011, Market | 1 Comment »

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 »