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11.27.2012

So very thankful!!

I can't apologize for my lack of posts ... life is what it is!!  We are busy and Lawyer travels ... currently he is on a 21 day stretch of straight travel with plans for a day or two here each week.  Sigh!  I can, however, find many things to be thankful for each and every day.  I try to find the positive in every situation, the silver lining to every black cloud.  And if that doesn't work ... a few tears followed by a million laughs always works!!!

1.  I am incredibly thankful for my heavenly Father.  I am blessed to be able to worship a God who laid down his life for me knowing what a busted can of biscuits I would be.  
2.  I am thankful that grace starts anew each day just like the rising of the sun.  When I first became a Christian the women's minister told me that God's love for me was as unending as laundry.  No matter how much you finish and put away, it is always there.  I have never forgotten her words!
3.  I am thankful that I have a husband who works hard so that I may stay home and raise our children.  
4.  I am thankful for three amazing kids.  They drive me crazy each and every day with their "free speech" and their crazy antics, but they are smart, creative, hilarious, independent and growing up to be amazing people.  I am incredibly proud of them!
5.  I am thankful for coffee each morning.  The sound of the coffee making brewing might be the best sound I hear in the day.
6.  I am thankful for the precious sitter that comes to help me three afternoons a week.  Her texts that she is "on my way" are reason 5012 why I adore her.  
7.  I am thankful for amazing friends.  I have a set of besties that I wouldn't trade for anything.  They lift me up when I am weary, they point out how old I am when my first born turns 16 and they bring an enormous laughter my way ... even if they are only laughing at me.
8.  I am thankful for my crock pot.  She and I are becoming close friends and the smells in the house are worth it every single time.  I am not a fan of cooking and feeling like I can provide my family with a home cooked meal makes me feel like a better person!  Got any good recipes ... bring em!  Currently on deck for the crock pot I have Cranberry Chicken, Fajitas and Italian Beef.  (I love recipes where I can cook red meat and don't have to touch it!!)
9.  I am thankful for group texts.  Eight friends and I participate regularly in banter that has on more than one occasion had me laughing so hard I was crying and fell out of the desk chair while googling the topic of discussion!
10.  I am thankful for comfy pj pants.  I put them on each night about 6 and remain in them until I get dressed the next day.  And yes, that is after carpool, bus, etc.  There is nothing wrong with a t shirt, bra and pj pants in carpool or outside my house at the bus stop. 
11.  I am thankful for music and the effect it has on my soul.  I can blast some tunes and sing at the top of my lungs and feel incredibly different in about five minutes.  I have my favorites that I go to regularly and at this point all of my family knows each and every word. 
12.  I am thankful for clickable Sharpies and a crossed off to do list.  My mother says I am easy to please and she is correct.  A hot cup of coffee, kids not fighting, warm pj pants and a crossed off to do list ... one Great Day!
13.  I am thankful for my 91 year old Nana and her handwritten letters.  They arrive quite frequently and I have each and every one she ever sent me.  Love, Nana might be my favorite part!
14.  I am thankful for little notes of love I found all around the house from my baby girl.  They make up for all of the "worst mother ever" comments I hear at least once a day.  Thank goodness I wasn't hoping for the Most Liked Mother award.
15.  I am thankful for family who doesn't ask questions when they come in and the whole house looks different then when they left 7 hours earlier.  They just look at their friends and say things like "my mother likes to move things, just go with it".

  I am thankful for more things than I could ever write down ... these are just a few!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (The Message)

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

xo,
MPM

11.22.2012

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!  

We are cooking and watching the Macy's parade ... just the way I love it!!

xo,
MPM

10.30.2012

Like, shocker!!

So people.com is reporting that Taylor Swift and her Kennedy beau have split up.   Not that I am shocked in the least bit, I still have some thoughts on the matter.  

First, I am not sure who would line up to date her since every person she dates gets raked over the coals in her next album and then every one under 20 (and me) will be singing about them for many moons to come.  

On the other hand, she is making money hand over fist writing songs about each and every romance.  Her recent album sold 1.2 million copies in the first week.  Clearly she is brilliant.   

Since she is adorable and young I don't see any foreseeable end to this money making roller coaster.

Like, ever!

xo,
MPM

10.20.2012

Whoa!!!

Here is a collage of two photos ... 

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West and Reggie Bush and his new girlfriend.  


photo via the Hollywoood Life

Thoughts??

xo,
MPM

10.17.2012

A new venture!!!

As I have mentioned too many times to count I am besties with LB Originals.  We met about 8 years ago and it was love at first site ... at least for me!!  Hee hee!!  We share so many interests and spend so much time together we know finish each others sentences.  Last night we texted each other the same thing at the same time.  It's just wrong!!

One of our shared interests is anything vintage.  We are known for heading our for the day to locate new stores and have more than once made it into a road trip.  We find some amazing things.  Our houses were filling up as were our drawers and closets.  We could no longer bring our finds home!  It was time to share this love with others. 



We are two gals who spend most of our down time running all over the place collecting vintage pieces and constantly redecorating our homes! We LOVE to find that ONE unique item and mixing our love of vintage with the new of today! Whether it be china, silver, toleware, lighting and more...we are crazy for the diamonds in the rough and will search high and low, fill carload after carload with all things vintage! We have been doing this together for the past 8 years and are so thrilled to actually be putting it out there for all you! ENJOY and grab it up when you see it!!


We hold a flash sale each Tuesday night on Facebook and what is left after the flash sale is loaded onto our Etsy shop!  We have found some amazing things!!  Some are great staples for your house (and bar cart this week) and some are more fun and great to add to your book cases or give as gifts.  In last night's auction alone I would say there are some great hostess gifts for the upcoming holidays!


Vintage ice bucket ... I love this item as a hostess gift.  I am sure your hostess will only get one vintage ice bucket and how adorable will her bar cart be?  She will think of you each time she uses her gifted bucket.  


This set of 6 silver and glass coasters is a great gift!!  Vintage coasters are one of our favorite finds.  They look so good sitting out and are so incredibly functional.  Wrap these up in a cell bag with an amazing plaid ribbon and you are set for a gift for your next party!!


This divided glass dish is stunning!!!  We love it for any occasion.  You can fill it with candy, nuts or crackers to accompany your dip.  Fill it with something your hostess loves, wrap in cello and present to her at the next  party.  You will certainly not be forgotten!!!


I love this silver plate basket.  The shape and size are just too cute!  It is perfect for every day use in a powder room or sitting on a set of books in a book case.  Fill it with some amazing wrapped soaps and gift it to your hostess the next time you are invited for the weekend.  I promise you it will be one of many invitations to come!!!

To view our items still up from last night's auction ... just like us on Facebook.  Then join us each Tuesday night at 8 pm for our week's finds!!!

We are so excited about Turquoise and Tartan!!  I hope you will be to!!

xo,
MPM

10.15.2012

FALL!!!

Fall is officially here in Georgia and it was about time I embraced it and started adding touches of the season to the house!  My kids so wish I was the cool mom ... the kind that fills the yard with blow up pumpkins, ghosts and spiders.  Sadly for them ... I am not.  I probably should add some spider webs and big spiders on the side of the house the night of Halloween.  They would love it and it would only be up a short time so it would be a win, win for all!!!


Of course the first touch was a few bunches of sunflowers!!  I love these I grabbed up from Trader Joes!  I love the yellow centers.  I will need to make sure I grab new ones in a few weeks ... but until then these are holding up nicely!!


Our front door needed an overhaul and I grabbed up some new urns at Scott's this weekend!!  Lucky for me I asked on Thursday.  It was the very last set the dealer had!!  Note to self ... lift them with your legs not your back.  I did not do so and my back is not happy!!!

My sweet friend Maggi helped me style the pots and I moved the boxwoods into the urns and then filled the lower pots with trailing white pansies.  I think they are amazing and I love the results!!!

I just need some pumpkins from the state farmer's market to finish it off!!


I fell in love with a wreath at Scott's on Thursday but did not like its $130 price tag.  And I was sure those leaves would mildew and/or fade over time.  Our front door gets full sun ... and needs something that can take the wind, rain and sun daily!!

I pulled out last years model and realized I loved it just as much as I did when I made it.  And it was free so it became my new favorite!!


The table got a sprucing with some straws, sunflowers and pumpkin tea from Trader Joes.  I haven't tried it yet but it smells amazing.  I found the pitcher in my pile of vintage finds in the basement.  I have been collecting vintage happies for ever and have decided to stop.  Or at least turn my hunting into a profit!! (More on that later!!)

I love fall ... actually I have realized I love each season.  Fall for us means crock pot dinners, fires, sweaters and boots, football games and beer.  And of course ... lots of snuggles with my babies!

Happy Fall!!
xo,
MPM

10.13.2012

Wednesday date ...


One of the things that I have learned lately with my grandmother's health scare and losing two people I know is to treasure the time you have!  Do not expect there to be a tomorrow since we are clearly not promised one.  My friends mean the world to me.  They smooth out the wrinkles in my life ... they provide me with endless supplies of love and laughter!!!  They are irreplaceable!


One of my long time relationships is with David.  He and I met my day on the job at Structure way back in January of 1994.  He was tall, blond, impeccably dressed and perfectly gay.  I adored him from day 1.  I had only been in Atlanta since October and knew basically no one.  We became fast friends.  


Fast forward through my marriage, his marriage, my babies and 18 years and he is still one of the dearest people to my heart.  He threw me a party the week before I got married complete with bar hopping and gay men galore.  He freaked out with me in the middle of Lenox mall when I realized I lost Lawyer's wedding ring after I paid for it and picked it up just five days before my wedding.  And I do mean freaked out.  I am positive he can take drama to a level only most women dream of!!  He changed my name in the computer at work so when I clocked in after my honeymoon my new name appeared on the screen.  He was always my first visitor when my babies were born.  He makes me rosemary shortbread each Christmas.  He taught me how to dress a bed the Ralph Lauren way.  We will be friends until the day we both grow old in the home.  Him always holding the door for me and carrying my shopping bags and telling me my shoes are fabulous!!!  He is the best and I love him dearly.  


His husband died of a massive heart attack last December.  In his grieving we had lost our day to day contact.  It was more than time to change that.  We decided on a weekly hair/lunch date.  He works at a salon in Atlanta and I go every Wednesday for a blowout and lunch.  I am his standing noon on Wednesday.  It is two hours of uninterrupted DT and me time and my week is better because of it.


I am lucky enough to see David twice this week and just when I needed some big brother love it popped up on my calendar.  His big bear hug today and compliments are just what the doctor ordered!! I might be a little giddy today!! 

Hope your Saturday is fabulous!!!

xo,
MPM  

10.09.2012

Some catch up pics ...

A month is quite a while to be gone from blogging ... so here are some pictures from the last 
month ... 


Lauren went to London for a week with her mom and we kept her dog, Charlie.  This is the best dog ever and I did all I could to try and keep her.  Lauren wouldn't have it .. boo!!!


Drove this crazy baby back and forth to swimming three days a week.  She is one feisty girl!!  I love her spunk!


Started spending every Wednesday lunch with the gay bestie, David.  If you recall he lost his husband in December and we haven't seen each other much since.  It was time to have a weekly date again and I am more than thrilled with our Wednesday tradition!!!


Organized the house in some spots.  The school supplies needed an overhaul.  This fabulous bamboo shelf is the perfect solution.  


Cleaned my closet ... it was a dump nightmare. 


Caught up on my basket of monogramming ... it was over flowing.  I can report that it is empty and  I am short on cash.  But all is good!!  MHM is currently wearing a monogrammed tennis skirt, a light pink tank and a zip up fleece, also monogrammed.  I LOVE IT!


MHM turned 8!!!


We celebrated with a roller skating party!  We had so much fun!!!  It's the perfect party for eight year olds.  (And me ... who loved the music!!!)


I had my first Octoberfest of the season.  By far my favorite beer ever!!


We went to the Fair.  Where else can you find fried everything and chocolate covered bacon??


I left my sunroof open in the car and ruined a fabulous Erin Condren planner.  I tried to dry it out and after a week of waiting I gave up, sucked it up and ordered a new one!  Sigh ... 


MHM had her first swim meet.  Her times are amazing and she is over the moon!!  I love the t shirt and the motto ... Respect, Honesty, Discipline, Dedication, Loyalty!  


Nursed this sweet dog back to health.  Miles, our white and black Jack Russell got hurt last weekend.  His leg got caught in a grate in the ground.  It took both myself and a neighbor to get him out.  No activity for two weeks and lots of love and he should be good as new.  Only one problem ... he's a Jack Russell and activity is his first, middle and last name!!!  He has been very cooperative so that has made it easy and Lawyer felt sorry for him so he has been snuggling with me at night.  Lucky me!!!


I worked on the master bedroom, among four other rooms, and have so many pics to share with you!!!  I am the most proud of this room since it is my sanctuary in the house.  I love walking into a completed bedroom at night.  Along with the master I worked on the den, the kitchen, the bar, touched up the office and started MHM's room.  I told you ... I have completed a lot!!!


Took this sweet girl for a much needed haircut.  She was over the moon and it shows in that smile!!!  I told her after I snapped the photo that I could see a little sparkle in her eye.  It's coming back ... slowly, but it's there!!  She came back to work last Wednesday and is officially here again two afternoons a week.  Love, love, love our Lauren!!!

That seems like a lot to squeeze into a month ... and I guess it is!!

It was a good month and I am thankful for the time away and also grateful to be excited to blog today! 

God is good!!!

xo,
MPM

10.08.2012

Hey ya'll!!!

First of all I am alive, well and feeling good about a lot of things!!!  The last time I posted I was feeling overwhelmed with life and still struggling to comprehend the loss our sweet babysitter had suffered.  I honestly felt like blogging about my life was silly and inconsequential.  My mind was foggy and I just needed to pull back and regroup.  I still feel like talking about my life may be silly but I am a lot more centered than I was a few weeks ago!!!  And truth be told ... I have missed my blog!

On top of it all ... my house was a mess and my schedule seemed to be sucking me in!  When we prepared for our move last summer we painted the house in neutrals and traded out a lot of our charming accessories for more neutral ones, user friendly ones.  When the house was pulled off the market I did not have the energy or the desire to change anything.  I just wanted to feel like me again.  Summer started this year and I wanted my house back.  I wanted the charm back, and the neutrals and boring accessories gone!

I started way too many things at once.  I would paint one room and then find the most amazing thing for another and before I knew it I had five rooms under redo.   Oh, and Lawyer was on the road every week and I was way in over my head.  It was time to pull back, say no to the blog and get some sh*& done!!!

I am feeling a whole lot better!!  I have busted my hump and finished a lot around the house.  (Like, a LOT!!!)  Lauren has come back to work and my Monday and Wednesdays are a lot smoother.  This is the first week I did not have to take MHM to swimming and then after dinner and tucking her in have to start homework with WPM.  Both kids were done with homework, activities, dinner and baths and in bed by 8 pm.  All seems right with the world when I am on schedule!  

I have a lot to share, a lot of photos to post and news to share!

I have missed you!!

xo,
MPM

9.11.2012

Where am I??

My silence is brought to you by sheer busyness!  The schedule that is my life right now ... I will admit it feels a little overwhelming!!

As always Lawyer is traveling.  He travels every single week.  And while he is traveling we do our best to connect and keep in touch through time changes and our separate busy schedules.  We did have the amazing opportunity to spend most of last Friday together.  We had coffee, went to the chiropractor, had an amazing Sushi lunch and then came home to watch retarded TV until the kids settled in on us at 3 pm.  It was a gift and one I truly embraced. I love my husband.  I miss him when he is gone.  He makes me crazy ... don't all of them ... but he loves me unconditionally, puts up with my shenanigans and says absolutely nothing when I cave and order take out three days in a row.  Two weeks ago I took myself shopping for no apparent reason and came home with a pile of bags full of things I was sure I "needed".  He carried them upstairs and said ... "Did you have fun?".  I should be shot ... but he still loves me!!!

The kids have never been this busy!!  It's good busy ... but ... WOW!!  Can I clone myself from 3 to 8 every day?  

MHM is swimming three days a week for an hour a day.  It takes 30 minutes to get to the pool so let's just say 2 hours.  She also has tennis on Tuesdays and chess on Thursdays.  WPM has art on Thursday and a tutor on Wednesdays.  HSM has club on Tuesday afternoons and Robotics it seems like every single day.  I am not complaining ... I am just saying a wife to make dinner or a second person to help with all the driving would be greatly appreciated!!

Anyone who shows up at my door with a Grande nonfat latte or a glass of wine at 6 pm will be considered for the job!!  xxoo

I will settle in and normal blogging will resume.  

Pinky swear!!

xo,
MPM

9.04.2012

Happy Labor Day!!!

Our lake trip was a huge success and I am sad to be home and back on a schedule.  I am definitely one of those people who is always sad to see a season pass and then two weeks later is completely in love with the current season. Although I would admit summer is my favorite time of the year.  I loooove the water, the sun, the long days and the laziness that summer brings!!!  


After checking in and getting unpacked ... we headed to the pool!!!


Where my lazy bum sat all afternoon and into the late evening!!  We ate by the pool, the kids played pool, ping pong, corn hole and then we all cuddled up under towels and watched Ice Age at dusk.  I had to steer two very sleepy younger children up to bed!!


This one changed her clothes, ran a toothbrush over her teeth and immediately crashed on a sleeping bag next to my bed!!!  That sweet baby was so tired she snored peacefully all night!!!


The next morning it was a yummy breakfast and then off to the Water Park!!


Where for the next three hours we heard nothing but giggles, splashes and "Can I go again?"


They loooved every single minute!!!!
 

Then we headed to the other side of the water park for the tubing rides ... 


This might be the most fun ride I went on!!!


And I know the kids loved it!!! They both rode in a single tube the first few times and then were told that they would go faster if they used the double tube ... I could hear them both giggling from half way up the ride!!  I rode one with them just before the rain set in!!!  It might have been one of the most fun things I did all summer!!!

After late lunch and a nap for all we headed back to the water park for a yummy pizza dinner  ... 


and Fireworks!!!  

A great send off to summer ... and it was a really good show!


Labor Day itself was overcast but I was determined to sit by the pool anyway.  I put on my seersucker shorts, grabbed my sunglasses and my book and planted myself poolside.  With a large umbrella over my head when the showers came I could simply pull my legs in until the rain stopped.  I thought it was genius!!


I did at one point swap my pool chair for a chair around the table to sit and sip this yummy spicy Bloody Mary and play UNO.  Again ... great idea!

We finished off our time at the lake with a few rounds of pool and then it was time to head home and call it the end of summer!!!

It was a good summer ... one I have great memories from and lots of great pics!!

Til next year!!

xo,
MPM

9.01.2012

Happy Weekend to all!!


One last hurrah before the summer season closes!!!

I am packing up this bag ...


and we are headed to the lake for the weekend!  

See you on Tuesday!!

xo,
MPM

8.29.2012

Rainbow = promise!!


A double rainbow for our sweet Lauren!

Today will be a long day for her but I know she will be surrounded by family, friends and most importantly the love and peace that can only come from God.  "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called together for his purpose."  Romans 8:28

I love you sweet girl and hope to be in your vision any time you need me today!!

xo,
MPM

8.28.2012

Weekend at the Ritz!!!

We had a perfect weekend ... but I expected nothing less from the Ritz!!  We arrived late Friday due to Lawyer's travel schedule and enjoyed room service in the room.  Nothing like a wine and cheese plate along with a Bourbon pecan tart to finish off the day!  When we arrived the fire pit was still going and families were enjoying their s'mores.  It was wonderful to be able to smell the fire from our room as we snuggled in with our room service.  A good night's sleep and we were ready for a fabulous weekend!!


Gorgeous morning ... started with coffee on the porch


followed up with breakfast outside and the best homemade citrus yogurt I have ever eaten


relaxed and smiling ... apparently the way Lawyer likes me the most 


he booked a massage and I headed to sit by the pool 


nothing better than a great book by the pool 


ok, well maybe a book, the sun and a yummy drink

 

after his massage Lawyer and I shared another drink and some yummy snacks before dinner

 

beautiful day gave way to a yummy dinner of filet and steamed spinach for him and scallops and grits for me ...


and returning to turn down service complete with my book on the pillow!!!  The Ritz does it right!!


Another wonderful nights sleep and another perfect morning!!


Our view ... the lake


the fire pit ...


the trees and the hidden pool ... 


a perfect cup of tea ... 


another wonderful breakfast ... I could not eat enough of the citrus yogurt!!

 

after lounging for a while on the patio it was time to pack up and head home!!


all packed up in the car ... 


and starting a new book ... 


We headed home!!!

I can not wait for our next trip to Reynold's Plantation.  It is possibly the most relaxing and perfect spot so close to home!

Until next time ...

xo,
MPM
 

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