Is it Really Friday?

Yesterday was a good day.  But, I missed a huge chunk of it by sleeping.  A lot.  The morning started out with Bible Study.  It was the last day of studying David. Met hubby for lunch at DW's Mongolian Grill.  Yum!  When I left, an elderly gentleman who was leaving the fast food restaurant next door said to me:  "Young lady, is that place any good?"  I said "Yes!  I really like it."  He nodded his head and said "Then I'll try it next time."  Word of mouth is a GREAT way to advertise.  :)  Later, I drove my eldest to his Air Force DEP call.  (DEP = Delayed Entry Program) He goes to the recruiting office one Thursday a month.   Anyway, I started feeling bad while waiting for him and by the time I got home, I felt awful.  Took off my very cute OOTD, put on my jammies and crawled in bed.  I fell asleep 15 minutes later and slept till almost 9:30 this morning:  approximately 16 hours!!  I woke up long enough  this morning for my hubby to say he would drive the kids to school.  Thank you sweetheart. :)

So, my very cute OOTD for Thursday?  Here it is:

Dress by H&M

Purse by ???  No clue, it's a knockoff....

Shoes by Alfani

Today has been relatively quiet and filled with "Mom stuff".  Laundry, vacuuming, general pick up, a friend came over for coffee and a chat, picked up kid from school (2 back to back study blocks and nothing to study, so he came home to clean) and a trip to the grocery store.  Older teens have a friend over for the night (hence the cleaning), so I cooked a lot and gave them money to eat again at church for the Guys Game Night. Where do they put all this food?  I'm convinced teenage boys have hollow legs. 

The news is on non-stop at my house as we monitor the current fiasco that is our government being unable to pass a REASONABLE budget.  Come on, the rest of America has to balance our income and spending.  Why can't the government?  Not to mention, I'm highly upset they are talking about not paying stateside military members, yet expecting them to report to work.  Ummm...hello?  How about THEY show up to do what they were elected to do WITHOUT pay until this is fixed.  I am not happy about the way they are playing with people's lives and livelihoods.  And, it's not just about the fact that MY husband won't get paid next Friday if this isn't solved.  It's about other families I know who need the money more than we do.  It's about the fact that our military literally puts their lives on the line, day in and out for very little pay...and they are talking about NOT paying them at all??  Who is the IDIOT who thought of that idea?  Seriously?!?!?  Someone has no clue.  Pay the people who are protecting the nation.  It just makes sense.  I'm sure there are other  federal employees who deserve to continue doing their job and being paid.  But, there are a lot of places federal money (that's MY money and YOUR money folks!!) is being used that are just ridiculous and wrong.  

Stepping off my soap box before my blood pressure goes too high and I have a stroke.  After all, if this budget doesn't pass, TriCare won't be able to pay for my healthcare benefits at a local hospital and I will not want to go to the local Naval Hospital where they are being forced to work for no pay.  KWIM?

Next topic.  I have decided to look for a job.  Several reasons.  Main one being I want to help out right now as we are transitioning from military life to civilian life.  I would like to pay off our credit cards and van.  And, then I'd like to bank my paycheck for extra $$ for fun trips this summer. Needless to say, I'm not looking for a career, I'm looking for a job.  Something I can do for 30-40 hours a week and come home to my family.  I like being able to leave the office at the office.   'Nuff said about that.

What does one wear on a cool day when it's rainy off and on and one doesn't feel the best?  This, of course:

Sweater by Croft & Barrow (like you didn't know that already)

Top by George for Wal-Mart

Jeans by Lee Rider

Shoes by Airwalk for Payless

 Yes, it's the Mom Uniform, but still cute and comfy.  Hopefully soon, the MU can lose the sweater and sneakers and I can wear my cute flip flops instead.  :)

Coffee:  LOTS of it today.  First pot (shared with a good friend) was Gevalia German Chocolate Cake and Coconut Cream creamer.  Yum.  After dinner, I brewed a half pot of Gevalia Dark Chocolate Truffle and am mixing it with Italian Sweet Cream creamer.  More yum!!! 

Food:  Made "Ann's Dirty Rice" from AllRecipes.com. It tastes like a stuffed pepper without the hassle.  We also like it because, for a change, it's a stuffed pepper-ish recipe that doesn't include tomatoes.  We love them, but it's a nice change.  The boys certainly enjoyed it as they emptied the bowl.  Makes a Mom's heart happy. Served it with corn and home made biscuits with my Mom's Blackberry Apple jelly.  Soooo delish!!

Writing and Exercise:  None.  Sorry...no excuses....

Not much to say...

Strange, isn't it?  It's been a bit of a busy day, but it's nothing noteworthy.  Well, other than breakfast this morning with my neighbor and friend for her birthday while her husband is out of town and our churches midweek prayer service tonight, which is always quite wonderful. 

What did I wear today for this not so special day?  A special outfit that made me feel good about myself.  An updated version of the "Mom Uniform."

You've seen it all before.  Just not put together like this.

I liked it.  It made me feel great about ME today.

Isn't that what the OOTD is all about?  Feeling and looking good, no matter what your plans happen to be.

Coffee:  Not nearly enough.  3 small (6 oz) cups of coffee at Citrus with splenda and half & half.  Later, a medium coffee of Seattle's Best at Borders this afternoon.  That's it.  Maybe half what I normally drink per day.  I have a headache.  Wonder why?  (Not really....)

Food:  Breakfast foods all day long.  A Western Omelet and hash browns at Citrus this morning.  Only able to eat half, so I brought the other half home - and had it for lunch.  Dinner tonight was pancakes.  It was quick and easy before church. 

Writing:  None.  Also, no exercise beyond walking the dogs.  I told you it was a quiet day....  Hmmm...I know I was busy all day long, but right now, I have no clue what I accomplished.  Oh well....  I worked on relationships today.  May not show much toward a clean house, etc., but it was worth something in eternity.  :)

Rainy days are not meant for skirts...

However, Monday night I planned what I wanted to wear today hoping the weather forecast was wrong.  Therefore, I wore a skirt today.  Was it the smartest thing I've ever done?  No.  But, at least I was cute.  :)  I've been waiting 3 weeks to wear this particular skirt and decided I was not going to let a little rain dictate my wardrobe choice.  Tomorrow will be a different story as I haven't chosen an outfit yet. 

What did I wear today?  Here it is!!  Two shots as the temps dropped during the day and necessitated a sweater. 

I know it's a bit dark for my outfit, but wasn't the view behind me pretty this morning?  :)

Benji wanted to get into the action and joined me for my afternoon photo.  Isn't he a cutie? 

Love my mini schnauzer.  :)

Sweater:  Croft & Barrow

Top:  Anne Klein

Skirt:  East 5th

Shoes:  American Eagle for Payless

Flip Flops in top pic:  Airwalk for Payless

Had lunch with hubby and shopped for a shadow box for his retirement from the Navy.  We didn't like the ones we saw at the Navy Exchange, so we will keep looking.  None were the right size to hold his memorabilia from the past 20 years. I must admit, it's like a punch in the gut sometimes when I think about him retiring...and other times it's really exciting to imagine where we may go and what we may do next.  Right now, I'm feeling sucker punched...  It will be better tomorrow, or the day after...  eventually.  Yes, eventually, it will be good.  :)

Tonight was church orchestra/choir practice.  My eldest son plays trumpet and I play keyboard.  We are currently preparing for our upcoming Holy Week/Easter services.  The music is incredible.  I can't wait for the concert on Good Friday.  The music is a bit ambitious (this means HARD!!!) but it's going to be above and beyond any program we've done the past 3+ years that I've been there.  Seriously looking forward to the entire week.  After all, it IS Easter week.  :)

Coffee:  Gevalia Traditional Roast.  Assorted creamers.

Food:  Dinner tonight was yummy.  Threw some chicken in the crockpot all day long, then shredded it and added fajita seasoning.  Sauteed some onion and peppers.   Made fresh salsa.  Fried flour tortillas.  Cheese, sour cream, etc.  YUM. 

Writing:  None.  Been busy.....  I know, not an excuse, but it's the best I've got. :)

Banana Cream Dreams

The title says it.  This weekend we discussed my friend Debra's recent trip to NYC where she had "the best banana cream pie EVER" or something to that effect.  Being the Susie Homemake that I am, I took this as a challenge.  My plan is to try duplicate her NYC experience.  The wheels in my mind started whirling as she described this most awesome Banana Cream Pie (BCP).  I asked questions and admitted I was going to play around in the kitchen to see if I could duplicate the one she had.  Ideas have been swirling thru my brain. My favorite recipe site has been searched diligently.  (AllRecipes.com, if you wondered)  This evening, I made my first Banana Cream Pie. Not knowing how her BCP tasted, I don't know if I have duplicated it or not.  But, I have to tell you, mine is good.  I'm pleased.  Will make this again.  Definitely.  After Debra taste tests it, I may need to tweak this recipe a bit, but for a first try at BCP, I am quite content with the outcome.

Now, what does a girl WEAR to make a Banana Cream Pie?  Something cool and casual with a hint of the beach (since that's where I was inspired/challenged).  Also something on the inexpensive side for staying home most of the day.  So, this was my OOTD: 

Maxi dress by Merona

Tank by Basic Editions (I think, can't read the tag, lol)

Flip Flops by Airwalk for Payless (bought today - BOGO!!)

Necklace from Wal-Mart

Photographer:  My son Patrick who said "You look good.  This looks like a Glamour Shot."  Awwwww.  :)

Close up on the feet.  LOVE the nail color on my hands, not so much on the feet...

Isn't the little flower just darling??

And, I was having a good hair day this morning, so I snapped a photo of that too. 

Ummm...looked better in person.  Really. 

It was a GORGEOUS day!!  Temps in the 80s.  Blue skies.  SUNSHINE!  Wind.  But, oh, so nice.  Opened all the windows to air the house and enjoy nature.  Quite wonderful.  Spent the day working on the house after being gone for the second weekend in a row. It was more of a general pick up along with washing dishes and clothing.  In fact, I'm still doing laundry.  With a family of 6, when am I NOT working on laundry?  Spent time on the phone with a friend.  Good chat.  Spent time with hubby.  Very nice.  Spent time with the boys.  Also nice. 

Since I didn't have any sandals or flip flops (they all died last year) and this dress definitely required either sandals or flip flops, a trip to my favorite Payless was in order for the afternoon.  Lo and behold, today was the final day for their BOGO sale on flip flops!!  Two pair were purchased.  The other pair is rather cute too.  You will see those on the next mid 80s day, I'm sure.  :)

Prayer meeting tonight was awesome.  God met us there.  No other way to put it. 

Coffee today:  Gevalia Le Procope with Italian Sweet Cream for the first 3/4 of the pot.  Final 1/4 was enjoyed with Peppermint Mocha.  Yum.

Food:  Meatloaf (made with my Mom's homemade salsa), Irish Potato Casserole, Broccoli and the Easiest Rolls Ever. 

Writing:  Sorry, didn't happen today.  Too much else going on.  To be perfectly honest, I forgot to do it.  Oh well.  There's always tomorrow, unless there isn't.  In which case, it doesn't matter anyway. 

No April Foolin', I Had a Wonderful Weekend!

Happy April Everyone!  Here's hoping Friday didn't catch anyone off guard and you didn't hear the famous (or infamous) words "April Fools!"  I *almost* got taken in by an acquaintance who is pregnant and had an ultrasound Friday.  She did a Facebook announcement saying she was having twins.  I was *this close* to sending a huge congratulations, etc., and then remembered the day.  She later admitted it to be an April 1st joke...however, the baby is doing great.  No fooling.  (thought you'd wanna know that for sure)  :)

So, my weekend.  It was fabulous.  Just a small group of us (5 total, only 4 able to stay the entire weekend) went to the Outer Banks of NC to stay at a beach house and simply relax for the weekend.  It was amazing.  I haven't felt this relaxed and rejuvenated in a long time.  We simply did nothing all weekend other than talk, drink coffee, talk, eat, talk and sleep.  Maybe a little reading, more talking, movie watching and talking was thrown in, but not much.  A quick walk and then run (it was about to storm) on the beach was the ONLY exercise.  I wonder how many calories are burned by non-stop talking?  A friend said I looked slimmer today.  :)  Maybe it was the run on the beach.  Hmmmm.....  Did I mention we did a LOT of talking this weekend?  Ha ha ha ha ha

Here are some photos from our walk/run on the beach Saturday afternoon.  There was a storm coming and I got a couple shots of the sky that I really like showing the line as the storm blew in.

Although I had a wonderful time all weekend long, I have to admit to a couple of times that were extra special to me.  First was Friday night when we talked until almost 3:00 A.M.  The outpouring of love and concern was incredible.  Hearts were opened and deep emotions were shared. 

My second favorite time was the last part of the ride home.  Some very hard to hear words were said to me, but it was something I needed to hear.  It was just a couple of sentences, gently said, which helped me see I was having a pride issue I needed to get past.  It is being acted upon and I think will cause changes in the best way possible.  As I said then, I don't just want the better thing, I want the best which is God's best for my life. I know what His will is in this particular situation. Now I need to follow His leading in this matter.  First steps have been taken. More to follow daily.

Sorry, no OOTD pics from the weekend.  It was an extremely comfortable, casual time and not photo worthy from a fashion standpoint.  :)  Hey, we all need jeans and t-shirt days every now and then. 

Food:  Awesome.  Each of us prepared a meal for the group.  I made breakfast Saturday morning.  Simple, reasonably nutritious and easy.  The other ladies made awesome meals.  I'm thinking of asking for recipes as the meals were delicious. 

Coffee:  Provided by Debra.  Creamers:  Peppermint Mocha, Italian Sweet Cream, French Vanilla, half and half and organic half and half.  Lovely weekend.  :)

Writing update:  Not much actual writing...but I did have some great ideas for the adult books (at least a trilogy, maybe 5 books - one for each main character) and worked on developing basics for each main character.  All has been written down.  Nothing further on the children's book, although I took everything along.