Upcoming changes!!

Spring is in the air.  I know it is.  I wore capris today - with kitten heel sandals.  Thus, Spring is obviously on it's way.  No denying it. Not even if you tried.  So, take my advice, do not try.  Spring is coming.  Doth the lady protest too much?  Probably. I so desperately want to believe the weather is going to continue to get warmer every day with no more below 40 days/nights.  I know it's not logical to want to believe this as I live in VA, but.... *insert hopeless shrug here*

As I said, Spring is in the air, which means only one thing.  It's time for Spring Cleaning!  Wooo hooo  *insert copious sarcasm*  Okay, so I'm not exactly overjoyed with the idea of Spring Cleaning.  However, it truly needs to happen in my house this year.  With the possibility of an upcoming move at the end of June, we need to start weeding thru our belongings and discarding those we don't LOVE and possibly replacing items that are wornout but necessary. 

Which leads me to the upcoming changes.  I am in a redecorating mood.  Seriously.  I spent some time today at Borders (hubby's favorite local bookstore) drinking coffee (plain, boring Seattle's Best with fat free milk, a splash of half & half and splenda) and looking at decorating magazines.  Such CUTE ideas in there.  Things I can actually DO with some selective shopping and potential refurbishing. 

My plans include:
Changing out some decorative items in the kitchen and dining area.
Potentially rearranging my bedroom, adding storage and adding seating.
New dressers for a couple of the boys.
Potentially additional seating in the living room.
Potential rearranging in all the rooms.
Decluttering in a massive way - throwing away trash and donating the rest.
Possibly buying more bookshelves (replacing a couple and adding additional ones as we continue to purchase books).

I think that covers it.  As I clean, rearrange, declutter and add new items, I will take pictures and post those along with my OOTD.  :)  Stay tuned for the transformation of the Terry Household!

Time for OOTD pics.  I have a few to share today. 

Close up on the hair because I liked it today.

Also wanted to show my ear rings...but they kept turning the wrong way.  Oh well...

Hubby and I went to Cracker Barrell for breakfast today so we had to take an OOTD pic there.

It was too cool to take off my jacket.

See my purse?  It's a B2B.  If you know anything about it, tell me. 

This was taken on our deck this afternoon.

Our dog Sam had to get into the act.  He posed for the first picture.

Too bad the top of my head was cut off in that one.  LOL

Today I am wearing:

Sweater by H&M

Capris by Liz Golf

Kitten heel sandals by PayLess.

Stress!!!

Wow...  Today has been one long stressful day and it's only 2:00 pm.  I can't say the stress started today as that would be such a lie.  It started long ago, along with all my hubby's gastro problems.  Today was simply the culmination of all our worry and stress.

We were up and moving dark and early this morning somewhere between 0500 and 0530 preparing to go to Portsmouth Naval Hospital where hubby had the priviledge of undergoing not one, but two, "procedures".  That's what you call it after a certain age, according to Billy Crystal in City Slickers.  :)  Anyway, the EGD and colonoscopy both happened for him this morning.  We didn't talk about our fears or our stress until afterwards.  But, we were both afraid it was going to be the big "C".

I won't delay any longer.  Yes, we have a diagnosis. No, it isn't the "Big C." He has Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  No cure for this condition other than trial and error in figuring out what works and what doesn't.  Ummm....hello?  We've been dealing with this getting progressively worse over the past 10 years.  If we don't know NOW how to control it....well, whatever.  GI doc gave him some papers (none of which actually addressed the situation) and sent us home.  Gee, thanks.  (Insert lots, no TONS, of sarcasm here.) 

So, we came home and he fell asleep (again) and I hit the computer to read and research every possible link about IBS there is.  They basically all say the same thing:  Figure out what triggers it and learn to live with it.  *sigh*  In this day and age, that's the best they can come up with?  Looks like it's food diary time and lots more reading and researching about what he needs to eat, common triggers, etc. 

I did come across something scary for ME.....IF I ever end up with IBS, I will need to give up coffee as it's apparently one of the big triggers.  I pray this never happens as life would not be much fun without my ever present cup.  Speaking of which, it's currently filled with Gevalia Traditional Roast and Peppermint Mocha creamer.  Christmas for my taste buds.  Ahhhhh...

Time for today's OOTD.  I may have gotten up way too early for this night owl, but I did manage to look cute.  Thanks to planning ahead last night. 

Necklace from a local thrift store on Shore Drive

Top by Milano

Sweater by Croft and Barrow

Slacks by George (yup, got 'em at Wally World, but they are super cute!)

Shoes by Avon

I went outside and took a picture so you can see the detail on the shoes and why I like them so much.  I am also wearing black trouser socks because it's a bit chilly today.  

This is how my feet look today.

See you tomorrow with an update on life in my house and another fabulous OOTD.  :)  I have to admit, I'm really enjoying this.  Still can't believe it.  But, it's a great way to keep up my look and not revert back to the ubiquitous Mom Uniform.

Another day in the life...

It's Monday again.  A slightly different Monday at my house, however.  My hubby is home from work today preparing for some medical tests tomorrow.  He's on clear liquids and will be doing a "prep" later.  Not a fun day for him at all.  However, I must say he is doing much better on clear liquids only than I have done in the past.  His attitude is actually quite nice.  I'm impressed.  Mostly because I know that when *I* am that hungry, I am VERY grumpy.  VERY grumpy indeed.  Did I mention I get grumpy when I need to eat?  Thus, I am in awe of  my hubby being able to maintain his kindness. 

Today is my usual day to clean house and get it back to normal after everyone being home all weekend.  This doesn't happen when I people in the house getting in my way.  (I'm a tiny bit of a control freak about how and when things are done in the house.)  It's just easier to do it when it's only me with no one trying to "help"....  Just being honest about it... Anyway, hubby and I set out this morning on a quest for jello that is NOT sugar free and does not have red dye in it.  We were looking for snack cups of pre-made jello.  No luck.  So, we bought lemon and lime jello to make.  They are in the refrigerator now "jello-ing" and he's "eating" broth from chicken noodle soup and drinking lots of tea and gatorade.  We've gone shopping and I've worked on laundry most of the day.  Mt. Washmore is down to a molehill now.  :)

Due to the running around and cleaning plans, I'm dressed in the Mom Uniform. I jazzed it up a bit with the jewelry today so it would at least be interesting.  This is what I'm wearing...

Top by unknown.  Seriously, the tag is missing.  But, don't you love the blue?

Jeans by French Connection.  I LOVE these jeans.  So comfy.

Shoes by Airwalk (Payless)

Jewelry from Payless also.  But, isn't it cute?

I love mixing and matching and putting together items you might not think about bringing together.  Like Payless items with designer pieces too.  It can work.  Beauty on a Budget.  :)

Coffee for today is Gevalia Traditional Roast with a variety of creamers.  Right now, I have a cup of coffee with Coconut Cream.  YUM.  Next cup...who knows!!  :)

Yummy Food, Cute OOTD and Coffee

What a day it has been and it isn't over yet!  Church this morning was fabulous.  Great music...and so much fun to play.  One Accord did an awesome job on "Give up" - especially at 9:30 and Shawna was AWESOME at both services singing "When I Don't Know What To Do."  Tears, yes, I saw tears in people's eyes both services after that one.  Incredible.  And, the end of the service with Denvers Mile High Orchestra's arrangement of "Solid Rock" was simply FUN and inspiring.  What a great way to start off this rainy Sunday. 

After church, we came home to a lovely lunch.  An Italian inspired casserole, salad and garlic bread.  Yummy-licious.  Yes, that IS a word.  I made it up myself.  :)  The recipe?  Why, certainly.  I am always happy to share my creations.  Basically, it was the left over whole wheat spaghetti noodles and sauce from dinner last night.  I made extra so I could put this together.  Planning ahead for left overs to make another meal is a favorite thing of mine. I mixed a 16 oz carton of cottage cheese (but you could use ricotta if you prefer) with basil, pepper and a little (1/4 cup or so) parmesan cheese and a handful of Italian blend cheese.  Mix that into the spaghetti noodles and plop into a buttered casserole dish.  Quarter some pepperoni, as much as you want, and mix into the left over spaghetti sauce.  If you don't have enough left over sauce, open a can of tomato sauce and add more spices.  I had enough, so I simply added the pepperoni and poured it over the noodles.  Top with Italian blend cheeses, cover and pop into the refrigerator to wait till the next day.  This gives the flavors time to blend and makes cooking the next day easy.  After we got home from church, I popped the casserole (covered with foil) into the oven and started preheating at 425 (for the garlic bread).  Once it came up to temperature, I uncovered the casserole and started assembling the garlic bread.  Popped that into the oven.  By the time the garlic bread was ready, the casserole was bubbly and lightly browned on top.  Perfect.  Serve with a green salad and lunch is READY.  Yum.  Very little left.  Just enough for me to have for lunch tomorrow.  Perfect.  :)

OOTD time.  I love what I wore to church today.  Cute, comfy and retro-inspired.  In fact, I was told I looked like I stepped out of the 50s.  Perfect!  Especially since that's the look I wanted.  :)  As I'm working on being "cute" all the time, I did something out of character...I didn't change when I got home.  Nice, since after lunch, the kids and I went out (yes, in the rain) to go to Game Stop (new game they pre-bought arrived in the store today) and Borders (FREE coffee for me - oops, forgot my coupon, FREE NEXT TIME, lol -  and $5 off coupon for teen to use for a book).  Now I'm sitting on my sofa still in my dress and enjoying it greatly.  I still need a cute apron.... 

This is what I'm wearing today:

Top by Merona

Skirt by Ann Taylor

Shoes by American Eagle (LOVE BOGO at Payless)

Today's coffee was brought to you by Seattle's Best at Borders.  However, I have Gevalia Signature Blend in the coffee pot now and will be drinking it soon with some lovely Peppermint Mocha creamer while I read "Bachelor's Puzzle" by Judith Pella.  Good book.  :)

Now to share a funny 13 year old boy story....Yes, this is about my youngest, who is quite a foodie in his own right and absolutely loves his Mom's cooking.  (Makes this Mom's heart happy.)  Now, you must understand that he told me after church that his Sunday School class is planning a get together in a couple of weeks and they are making ribs....and he had suggested I cook for them as my ribs are awesome.  I think ribs are the plan by the SS leaders.  However, I learned from one of the teachers the following via Facebook this afternoon.  I am going to quote her post to my wall:

SS Teacher:  "We're having an airsoft event, what kind of food should we have?"

My son:  "I'll bring ribs!"

SS Teacher:  "Are you going to cook them and bring the sauce?"

My son:  "I'll bring my Mom!  She'll cook!"

I have since suggested they either cook burgers or order pizza.  So NOT going to make ribs for a huge group of 13 year old boys.  I'm nice, but not THAT nice.  LOL

Guess what I did today!!

I am so excited about today.  I had a blast along with my hubby, and 2 other couples from my church.  We were invited to tour a Navy ship and have lunch with the Captain.  AWESOME!!  We didn't expect the Captain and his wife to spend 4 hours with us.  We all feel so honored.  The ship was incredible.  I've never seen such a clean ship!  The crew obviously takes great pride in their ship. 

Today's OOTD is very casual.  After all, I WAS climbing up and down ladderwells for several hours.  It was imperative to be not only cute but comfortable.  :)  As I told my husband, I can be cute from the ankles up today.  My shoes were my very practical running shoes.  No picture of them is included.  Here is my outfit. 

Today's coffee was inspired by Mardi Gras.  I drank cafe au lait with chicory coffee and steamed milk.  Quite yummy.  Only had one huge cup of it though.  Yummy.  :)