A Little Blogger's Block this AM - So Here's Something Funny Instead

Breckin decided he needed to use the potty just as we were headed out the door this morning:

Gotta love potty training. Happy Day before Friday! xoxo.

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New Year's Resolutions: Check-In

How are y'all coming along on those New Year's resolutions of yours? As the month of January comes to a close, I thought it would be a good idea to look back at mine and see how I'm doing - a way to keep myself in check, if you will.

Let's take a look at them for a reminder, shall we?

Alrighty, so here's the lowdown.

1. Due to an unexpected loss of my job at Boeing earlier this month, my California plans are on the backburner for now. I still REALLY want to go, and plan to, but if it doesn't happen this year, it's gotta happen next. I am working again, but the job is nearly just over half what I was making at Boeing...so not a lot of room to save dough and spend on things like this...so until I get out of this "buffer" job and into a better-paying one, the Cali trip will have to wait. Poo.
2. I did take my boys to our local library this month. Tanner picked out some good reading books and Breckin chose some bedtime stories. I even grabbed a couple for myself - Blogging for Dummies and a CSS/HTML book.
3. As you can see from #2, I accomplished #3 so far!
4. I don't think I can say I fully organized one room or space this month. I organized here and there, but I really need to get out of the ADD organizing habit and stick to one thing at a time in order to really make a difference. Will do better in February. Promise.
5. Big, fat fail {so far}. I haven't picked up my paints once this month. I need to really make a plan and carve out some time. I am also working on some printables/word art that I'd like to start selling in my shop as well.
6. Waiting on a good Groupon for this - I've seen some photography classes on there in the past. For now, I am just playing with it on my own and reading photography blogs for tips.
7. For the most part, I am doing better. My goal is to get up even earlier so I can squeeze in a morning run too.
8. I don't think Hubby and I got a date night this month. Boo. Of course, with a job loss, it's hard to find extra money for things like that. Things are on the up and up, so we are going to start making this a priority.
9. I have been drinking less wine. Though less for me is still a lot by some people's standards. So I'm going to conscientiously make the effort to keep lowering my "dose".
10. Well, this is a joke. {I'm drinking one as I'm writing this.} Next!
11. This is n/a for now. Can't wait for summertime weather!
12. I really need to sit down and do this. Hubby and I have been better about getting the house tidied at night and I have been cleaning, but I really want a schedule I can look at so I can stay on top of it all.
13. We are progressing here. He is doing it at daycare, but not always at home. The next set of diapers I buy him will be Pull-Ups...I think this one will learn faster than big bro did.
14. This is a kinda/sorta. I want to make a really nice chart/system for him. Again, something I just need to sit down and do. Maybe I should tackle this at the same time as the cleaning schedule.
15. Well, again, job loss makes this one a little tricky. However, we paid off a huge chunk of debt before the New Year, so we are sitting pretty in comparison to last year. As Christina Aguilera would say - "It just keeps gettin' better.."

Hope you are making some progress with your resolutions! I would love to hear about it! xoxo

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New Year's Health & Fitness Resolutions - Check In!

I posted yesterday on my other blog, Style Oyster, about where I am so far with my New Year's resolutions. I posted my health and fitness resolutions here earlier this month, so I thought I'd do the same with those. Please don't judge because I have a feeling I'm not doing so well...but if this is how I can hold myself accountable, so be it. 

To refresh, here's the resolutions:

1. Well, I think it's safe to say I haven't completely accomplished this, but I am definitely down 3-4 lbs from when I first posted these, so progress IS being made, people! Woot!
2. I am not doing so well with this. I did forgo the January half marathon due to falling so behind late December with my surgery and all. I am still trying to work out a good schedule to get all of my runs in, so I can be ready for March. I really want to do this!
3. I have been doing well with this!
4. I'm kind of halfway on this one...was doing well...this week, not so well...but I plan on getting back on track with a menu plan, stat!
5. I've been doing pretty well with this one.
6. I haven't started yet, but I do have my Groupon for some barre classes and will start next week.
7. Yeah, need to work on this.
8. Have not done this.
9. Would like to do this, but it's not the end of the world if I don't.
10. Didn't do this once this month. I blame the cold, don't you? {Though it did hit about 80 degrees one week this month, so I really have no excuse.}
11. This is still the plan - ongoing goal.
12. Gotta start this.
13. Need to implement this in our daily routine.
14. I haven't done it 5x a week, but a lot more than I was...and working on it.

So did you have some health and fitness resolutions this year? How are you doing?

Monday Musings

Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Our weekend was pretty low-key...Hubby is working the weekends until I find a good job. I start a new job today, but unfortunately it's not quite the pay I need and am worth, but right now, it's better than nothing and I'm thankful to be working again so quickly, so I can't complain. I had a lot of interviews last week {God is good}...and the job I want most I actually had a 2nd interview with already and I'm just praying that I get it. It's very "me". Hope to hear from them again sometime this week - will keep y'all updated!

On Saturday, hubby, the kids and I all went to the gym...I spent the rest of the day cleaning house, playing with kids, etc. while hubby worked..and then we opted to go to our church's evening service so we didn't have to rush around on Sunday morning. On Sunday, we pretty much hung around...I did the usual prep-for-the-week activities, we went on a bike ride with the kids and when hubby went in to work, the boys and I just laid low. And I swear I did about 10 loads of laundry. I do laundry regularly, so I don't know how I could have possibly needed to do that many loads...but I did.

So that brings me to my next topic - the laundry room {or rather closet, in the garage} It's obvious I spend a great deal of time there...and I want it to look prettier. You know, make me a little happier when I do laundry. It's going to take some time...but I definitely want to overhaul that space. I definitely want to get new machines in there, but that's going to be a little while of saving. For now, I'll just take care of the aesthetics surrounding them. Here are some inspiring pics of laundry closets with some details I may want to incorporate into mine:

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Aren't those built-in cabinets and cubby shelves a Type A personality's dream? I could definitely get Hubby to create something like this for me. The calming blue hue on the walls is nice as well.

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I love the baskets for holding stock of household necessities.

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OK, come on now, a backsplash AND a TV? Now that's doing laundry right. This would not happen for me, but man, maybe in the next casa? {Provided the laundry room is not in the garage.}

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This one is just perfection. I especially love that lost sock clothespin board...who doesn't have lone socks every time they run a load?

Have a great week!

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I'm Still Here...

It has been a whirlwind of a week. Even though I've been relieved of my job, I've been running around seemingly nonstop. I've had a slew of interviews {thank God} - I think the total tally on those is now 7. There is one company I'm especially praying to get the job at and I was given two interviews with them so far - both went very, very well. {Praying!}

On Thursday and Friday, I went to a women's conference at our church, Seacoast Church, called Chosen. It was actually really great. I wasn't sure about it going in, but in the end, I actually met a lot of nice girls that go to my church and we had a great time. There were a lot of great speakers as well. It was nice to finally meet some more women at church and "get connected" {as they like to say}. With all of this crazy job situation stuff going on lately...I am beginning to feel the need to draw closer in my relationship with God...and just trust in His plan for me. I have always felt that everything happens for a reason, and I've been saying that ever since I was let go from Boeing...but sometimes it's a little scary not knowing what comes next. This conference helped me open up my faith in Him a little more, and I really needed that right now.

And finally, I dropped the ball on giving my husband a shout-out on here for his 35th birthday {not that this blog matters to him in any way} - it was on Thursday. {Happy Birthday, Baby...you are a wonderful husband...probably more wonderful than I really deserve...thanks for being so loving to your sons and me.}

So as you can see, I've just been a little preoccupied, mentally and physically...I've hardly been at home this week and when I was, I found it hard to sit down and write about anything. I will say, however, that I've never seen so many great pairs of boots in one place as I did at that conference! Many of those women really have some great style. I definitely switched off between my Uggs, Minnetonkas and my cheap-but-expensive-looking Forever 21s throughout the conference events.

But anywho - my goal is to be back on task with this blog come Monday. Have a great rest of your weekend, y'all! xoxo

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Moving On...

I realize I haven't posted much this past week...my mind has definitely been elsewhere. On Saturday, I was laid off from my job at Boeing. I had been a contractor there for about 15 months. I've done my best to keep my head up about it, though it came as a shock, I haven't shed a tear. I'm doing my best to keep my faith in God's plan for me. I know I'm an intelligent, worthwhile person, and the right gig is out there waiting for me. Boeing emotionally drained me in many ways. I gave so much of my time and energy into all that I did there...I worked many overtime hours and weekends...I took every new task thrown my way in stride and just kept running with it. It hurts to feel like it was all for nothing. I made friends there that I am missing dearly...not seeing some of them every day is a definite bummer. But I'm trying not to focus on that...and just...move on. {At least I can hope that the friends I've made will still be there, even though my job isn't.}

The good news is that I have already found a new job and I start Monday. The pay SUCKS...but at least it's something to get me by until the next opportunity comes along. I've had 2 other interviews since that one that seem promising and I have one tomorrow as well. I am crossing my fingers that the right job with the right salary will happen upon me.

But anyhow...enough about my job situation...I'm confident that will get better.

Now onto more important things...I had a chance to stop by Target today {though I doubt I'll be making any extravagant purchases any time soon, a girl can dream...} and I found a few cute new items on their shelves.


This could be a great candy bowl {not too small of candy!}:

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This tray was so chic in person. I love the woven pattern, so unique:

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And is this not the most fun vase ever?

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This pillow is just too cute:

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And this graphic has been very popular lately, not a bad price here:

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And last, but certainly not least on my list - this table. I'd love two of them as our master bedside tables:

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Hope y'all have a great week...here's to hoping I'll be back to the normal grind soon. xoxo.

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Roxy Outdoor Fitness Collection

Take a look at the new Roxy Outdoor Fitness Collection for Spring 2013.

  

As a blogger for Skinny Mom, I get the opportunity to try some pretty cool new products {usually health and fitness related} at absolutely no cost to me. Gotta love perks, right?

Well, as you can see, the perks just got incredibly awesome. I am getting the opportunity to try any FOUR items from the collection I choose...and I will of course be posting my reviews like mad over on my Skinny Mom page.

As a longtime Roxy fan {when in college, I came thisclose to getting an internship in their graphic design department...ah, dreams...} You could ask any old friend of mine and they would tell you I owned more Roxy tees than anyone they knew. Working at a surf/skate/snow shop definitely had a lot to do with that too!

I am so excited, I'll be sure to post here when they arrive...and then you can see them in action when I post the reviews on Skinny Mom. Can't wait to let you know how they "work out" for me {pun definitely intended}...but I'm sure I won't be disappointed!

You can view the entire Roxy Outdoor Fitness Collection Lookbook here.

*All pictures via*

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Monday Musings

It was such a wonderfully warm weather weekend in Charleston! I hate to say goodbye to it and be stuck in a windowless factory all day. My boys and I made the most of our two days together {unfortunately Hubby had his USCG Reserve weekend}.

On Saturday, Mommy made sure to get a little gym time in the AM while they played in the gym-care and after that, we went to the library {short-lived due to one loud little two-year old, but enough time to scoop up some good reads} and then we headed to the play park and enjoyed the beautiful day.

Other than that, it was pretty quiet around the house...the hums of the dishwasher and laundry machines were heard throughout the weekend {I had quite a few loads to catch up on...}  

In other news, I've been scouring ideas for cute prints to put in the office/playroom. I decided I wanted it to be a mix of the kids' and my art as well as some fun prints that have great sayings for kids - ones of encouragement and love. Here are some I've found so far:

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Have a great week! xoxo

 

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Friday Thoughts: Speak Like a Lady

I cuss.

A LOT.

It's a bad habit I really have trouble kicking. {Though I'm not sure I can say I've ever sincerely tried.} I think I can pinpoint when my cursing habit started: 5th grade {young, right?}. I had a friend that cursed, and I just never did...and one day, when a boy said something not-so-nice {teasingly} me, she said, "Morgan, you should just tell him you're going to kick his ass." I actually remember saying it to him after that and that is the last time I remember a jaw dropping simply because a curse word had crossed my lips. Basically, it has all gone downhill from there...or escalated, however you want to look at it.

My husband gets on me about it all the time. He'll be like, "I can't believe you dropped an F-Bomb during [insert any social situation here]. It's so embarassing!" {Though let's be honest here, he's no angel in this department, but I suppose there's some double-standard when it comes to women cursing.}

I get it, OK? It's unbecoming. It's not lady-like. It's not attractive. Sometimes it's not necessary...it's just become part of my regular vocabulary...I don't have to be mad to use one. It's so common these days...a curse word out of a woman's mouth doesn't have that shock factor it once did back in the day. So I suppose that's why I don't think too much of it...I actually hardly notice it most of the time...and if people are turned off by it, I certainly haven't noticed that either. I could be oblivious, or my husband could just be overreacting. Or maybe it's a little of both.

It also doesn't help that I work in a factory full of airplane mechanics...inevitably a work environment composed of mostly males. And most of the women aren't very womanly...to say the least. It's second nature to talk like a sailor there. And you know how it is, when you're around certain types of people, you tend to start sounding like them...and of course there is definitely no shock factor when using curse words in that environment.

BUT nonetheless, I do want to cut back a bit on this little habit...main reason: my kiddos. I am going to be utterly honest here when I say it's been more than the occasional slip-up in front of them...and those are the actual times I DO notice that I've done it...and I want to immediately take both of my hands and clasp them over my mouth. Usually this happens while driving. Other drivers are always pissing me off {but that's another story for another day}.

So I'm going to be more cognizant of the words that come out of my mouth...this probably should have been on my New Year's resolutions, not sure why I didn't think of it then. I don't want my boys talking like sailors...and I also want to sound like a lady, not just look like one.

Looks like it's "Oh, Fudgesicles!" for me from now on. Have a great weekend!

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Tanner's Room Update/Progress

I've been meaning to get a post out on this sooner, but to put it bluntly, I have an incredibly messy 7-year old boy and his room is almost never clean...in fact, it's usually quite the disaster area unless I get in there and regulate every couple of days.  It takes an act of God to get that boy to clean his room, much less stay on task...meaning, I literally have to be in there coaching him every step of the way...or else he will just move on to something else. {God love that boy...and his ADD.} 

But anyway, I managed to get it cleaned up {I did make him help me} enough to get some decent pictures taken of how it is looking now...compared to what it looked like when he had only the twin size bed in there earlier in 2012. We still have a lot to do, but I like the way it is coming along. If you remember, I made a moodboard a few months back and I am getting closer and closer to realizing that vision with his space. It's maturing along with him. {The way this room looks is also important to me because now that he has the queen bed in there, it also doubles as a guest room when needed.}

Let's go ahead and refresh your memories with a picture of my moodboard, shall we?

So here are a few pictures of the what the room is looking like right now. My favorite part right now is probably the bulletin board revamp I did the other week.

And here is my to-do list for the space {in no particular order}:

1. Bulletin Board Revamp

2. Hang Wall Art & Pictures

3. New Pillow Covers from Etsy

4. New Rug

5. Create Map for Wall

6. Finish Wooden Monogram Project {You'll see this soon!}

7. Curtains

8. Paint Walls {Very Light Sand Color}

9. New Desk Lamp

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Minnetonka Moccasins in Action

So I received my Minnetonka Moccasins on my doorstep the other day...you know, the ones I posted about the other day when I saw adorable Emily Maynard in them. And well, the verdict: 

I just absolutely love them! 

They are soooo comfortable and they look so well-made. I enjoyed wearing them to work the day after I received them...my feet remained comfortable...and I walk on a cement factory floor all day!

I have been looking for ideas on fun ways to style them...I will show you some pics of myself in them in just a moment. But here are some inspiring pics - apparently many in the celeb crowd are Minnetonka fans as well!

Here's a personal fashionista fave of mine - Lauren Conrad:

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Kourtney Kardashian:

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Hilary Duff:

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 and Miley Cyrus:

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I personally love pairing mine with leggings. I do also love them with some dark blue skinny jeans. And I'm excited for summer because I think I will pull a Miley and rock them with some jean shorts...gotta love all year round boots! Here is how I styled them the first day I wore them {forgive my messy closet}...but I know there are so many other options!

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Monday Musings

Not a lot to report for this week's Monday Musings post...unfortunately my weekend was rather uneventful. I will say I spent the greater part of Saturday getting my ultra-heavy desk that hubby built moved from one side of the room to the other. It had been bothering me for a while...and all the begging I had been doing to get hubby to help me had finally worked. This also involved moving a fish tank - which was probably the main reason it took so long to convince him. But we got 'er done and now I am much happier with the space. I had wanted the desk to be the view you saw from the doorway, instead of a wall full of kid's toys and the dog crate. So it's essentially the same exact room, just flip-flopped for aesthetic appeal. {:-)} However, I know what's on either side of it right now is not so aesthetically-pleasing...

I still have a lot of organizing and decorating to do in there...soon enough, soon enough. Here's a look at that laundry list:

1. Purge and Organize Closet

2. Set Up Better Art Area for Kids

3. Organize Desk Drawers

4. More Wall Art & Pictures

5. Blinds & Curtains

Anyway, I worked on Sunday...I know, I know, back to that again. Thankfully I get out of work at 1:30 on weekend days, so the whole day wasn't a total bust. It was a bit drizzly outside, but I managed to take the Tundra on a good, long walk and then just made the most of what was left of the day with my family. 

Ooh, ooh! I did manage to write down some of my 2013 home project goals...now just learning how to take it one space at a time so I don't drive myself nuts!

Hope y'all had a great weekend! xoxo

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Kitchen Progress Update

Goodness gosh, I think I have been holding you off too long on the kitchen update post since we finished painting the cabinets! They have been done since like the beginning of December! Guess that's what the holidays will do to you.

But anyway, as promised, here you go.

I must say hubby did some hard work and got these babies done very quickly...considering he had to still go to work from 8-4:30 every day. Total time started on a Sunday and the cabinets were hung back in place on the following Thursday evening. He then purchased the hardware, made some drill holes where needed and they were officially finished that Friday or Saturday. Not bad when you factor in the time for sanding and for each coat of primer and paint to dry between coats. {I actually primed them for him while he sanded the base of the cabinets. So again, I helped!}

Now let's look at the before/after shots:

 I am so happy with the change. The kitchen feels so much more up to date and a lot brighter. It's not the largest space, but I definitely enjoy my time in there much more than I used to. The colors give a crisp, clean feel - which is just what I want to feel while in the kitchen.

There are still a few things to be done yet, but here is our progress list so far {click links for corresponding posts}:

1. New Under-Mount Sink
2. Granite Countertops
3. Backsplash
4. Paint Cabinetry {White}
5, Install New Floors
6. Wall Organization System
7. Paint Walls {Light Grey}
8. New Dining Table & Chairs
9. Curtains for Back Door

So what do you think so far?

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