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12.31.2011

Happy New Year!!!


Hopefully you are going out tonight and this won't be your house in the wee hours of the new year.

We are!!!

Happy New Year to you from us!!!

xo,
MPM

12.25.2011

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas from the Lawyer family to yours!!!


I hope your day is filled with Joy!!!

We are enjoying our family time celebrating the birth of our savior!!!

See you in the new year!!

xo,
MPM

12.21.2011

A little post of pink and green



Did you see these gingerbread houses on the Lilly Facebook page?  There are two houses and each one is absolutely amazing!!!  Can you see the monogram on the door knob?  I die.



I am in awe of the creativity involved and the detail in each house.  Those trees, that snowman, the wreaths ... I could go on for days.

I sent the photos to the bestie this weekend who quickly responded ...

"OMG ... did you buy that for me???"


Oh so I wish ... although if I had purchased either of them I am not sure I would have been able to part with it.

So her next question was ... "Can we make a pink and green gingerbread house next year?"

Oh sweets, that's a tough one.

At least I will have a whole year to figure it out!!

xo,
MPM

12.19.2011

A little soiree ...

Soiree ... noun.  a gathering or party held in the evening especially for one particular purpose.  

I am hosting a soiree this evening for two purposes actually.  The first being able to spend some quality time with those who make my every day better.  A girl can not survive in this world without her girls.  You could make it ... but why try?  And two, to play some games and kick some tail!!!

I love game night and game night at Christmas will be nothing short of fantastic!!!  There will be ten of us tonight for some cocktails and nibbles, laughter and giggles!!!  Doesn't that punch look amazing???

What could be better?
xo,
MPM

12.18.2011

We live in a magical place ...

Our neighborhood is a great place to live and this time of year it is nothing short of magical.  We saw Santa at 3:45 with no waiting.  We were in and out in less than 8 minutes.  

As I am finishing up some holiday cooking and making dinner we heard the doorbell.  

It was about forty people caroling.

Dressed head to toe in their holiday best, some even with plaid scarves and and all the kids shaking bells.

Caroling.

Ahh ... simply magical!!!!

Happy Sunday!

xo,
MPM

Life changing list ...

As always I am smarter when I read blogs.   Whether it be a new style, a great recipe or a great tip ... I find the most amazing things on blogs, well blogs and pinterest.  Oh the time suck that is pinterest.  This time I discovered this list from reading KAG's blog.  All I have to say is WOW!!!

I may have mentioned that I started therapy about 18 months ago.  After some urging from a bestie and being sick and tired of being angry and hurt I sought out some assistance from a very talented therapist.  In a sentence ... she taught me how to be me.  The real me.  The happy, content, released from most of my growing up crap me.  It was the best thing I have ever done ... I have never been happier!!!  If I could sum up the last 18 months it would look a lot like this list I have referenced.  She is no nonsense and no fluff.  She does not blow sunshine up my derriere.  She simply tells me my issue ... we talk about it until I get it and then she helps me work on how to change it.  

As I look over this list of 30 things I have a heard time picking out my favorite.  They are all good.  As a mother I will be printing it out and handing to each of my children one day.  

 A few of them were huge for the "old me" ... 

#1 ... Stop spending time with the wrong people.
#20 ... Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others.
#23 ... Stop trying to make things perfect.
#25 ... Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn't.

And I love the quote by Maria Robinson at the top ... "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

I am 100% confident that the last 18 months I have done that ... I do not have the same life I had before and therefore I will not have the same ending.

Hell yes!!!

xo,
MPM


12.16.2011

The magic that is C Wonder ...


(courtesy of style.com)

"re-imagining retail with an experience that most women never imagined could exist—extraordinary products at an incredible value with luxury service in an inspiring environment—plus a little unexpected 'wow.'" (nyracked.com)



Unless you live under a rock you have definitely heard of the new store C Wonder.  It has been all over the news and of course all over the blog world.  C Wonder is the new endeavor of Tory Burch's ex Chris.  Clearly he is a business genius.  He hit preppy square on the nose and made it affordable for all!!!  Style.com wrote ... Everything in the store has a decidedly preppy feel, from the printed button-ups to the grosgrain dog leashes, and can be monogrammed or engraved on the spot. (Burch showed off his own initials on the pair of velvet slippers he was sporting.) Taking customization one step further, shoppers can also adjust the music and lighting in the dressing rooms. But for all the custom options, the prices stay firmly within reach. The average hovers under $40.  How could you not fall instantly in love?





C Wonder is nothing short of fabulous!!!  I have not had the opportunity to set foot in the actual store in Soho ... however, I have had not one but two experiences with the fabulous entity online.  The first box came in record time and the presentation I received was over the top!!!


The receipt was packed in that gorgeous envelope!


The package included a great C Wonder tote ... complete surprise!


Under the receipt and tote the entire box was wrapped in tissue and sealed with a gold seal ...


And then each thing I ordered was carefully wrapped and then wrapped again in tissue with gold seals.  Seriously?  The time and care for each shipment is divine.  And I only spent $120.  

Unfortunately I can not blog about all I purchased.  My friend Charlotte reads my blog and her gift among others was tucked away in this box!  You can spot WPM's popcorn maker I ordered.  $29 and adorable!!!

I have to make one last purchase (today) for Christmas.  It will no doubt be here by the middle of next week looking ever the fabulous shipment!!!

C Wonder ... A+!!!

xo,
MPM

12.14.2011

Blog world fun ...

I saw this little ditty on Design Darling yesterday and loved it!  It allowed me to give you a little tidbit about me in six short questions. 


Where you spend the holidays:  at home in Georgia
Favorite indulgence: a new accessory, usually shoes or a bangle
Heels or flats? Heels if I am going out but flats if I am staying in or hanging with besties
Next home project you're tackling: My basement!  It needs a fresh coat of paint and some new accessories
New Year's resolution: be less anxious and live my life to the fullest
Blog(s) rocking my world lately: Summer is a Verb always rocks my world, Little Green Notebook

And then I reread my answers and thought about it.  I have had a lot on my mind since the funeral on Sunday.  Mostly about really living.  Not just talking but doing!!!  So ... I added a few questions of my own ... mostly so I would think about the responses!  

 What would you do with a million dollars: Donate 1/2 and travel!!
If you knew you only had a little time left what is one thing you would really want to do: 
Take my kids to Europe
Any regrets:  none

What about you?

xo,
MPM

12.13.2011

The list of ten ...

My kids have been out of control.  It's just that time of year.  Lawyer is traveling a lot ... I have been preoccupied and its the time of year when they get over excited and act like complete crazies!  I will say that the Santa threat is working like a charm for me.  Too bad that will end pretty much the minute he drops the gifts and bolts out of town.  Boo!

WPM was whining like mad on Saturday and I made him sit down and write five things he was thankful for ...  he whined about it, so I made it ten.  He started to whine even more but then realized I would just keep adding five things.  Whining is pretty much nails on the chalkboard for me.  I despise it.  I am working on a way to completely remove it from my life, but I am doubtful.  I will let you know how that works out for me.  

He sat down at the computer and made his list.  It was pretty much a list of ten words.  No thought really ... just ten words so he could move on to other things.  Notsomuch little one.  I made him add adjectives and he could not use the same one over and over again which he attempted to do with the word lovely.

Here is his finished list.  (this is the exact way he typed it ... 
all I did was copy it over to the blog and put it in italics)

my loving family.  my nice mother and father.  me funny friends.  me cut sister.  my supper nice brother and me cousins.  my awesome ankle and my super nice aunt.  my loving grandfather.

Ps ... his ankle (uncle) was in the house at the time which made his list even easier since it was one thing he didn't have to stretch his brain to think about.  

He's pretty stinking cute.  

And he will live to see another day!

xo,
MPM



12.12.2011

Scared straight!



Crazy week ... busy and not much to tell for it!  Spent a lot of time with the gay bestie and was physically and emotionally worn out.  He is life one day at a time and it is heart breaking to watch him suffer.  Snuck off to Scott's on Thursday for a two hour excursion.  Paper Girl and I scored some gifts for her list and of course had a few hours of quality time!!!  Dirty Santa party on Thursday night and then another party on Friday night where I was over served at both.  What can I say ... it was a long week and a good cocktail seemed appropriate!!!  

My youngest, MHM, has been quite the naughty girl lately!!!  She tends to have quite the edge when she is sleepy ... but this is a whole new level of bad!   Her room is a disaster and she has been quite sassy.  And to top it off she was docked twice this week at school for not listening to directions.  All in all ... not good!

I am attempting to scare her straight today with a hand delivered letter from Santa Claus.  I have just typed up a letter complete with Santa clip art and details only he should know.  She made a Santa list and hid it to keep it safe until she sees him but in trying to find something in her room I stumbled upon it.  She does not know I discovered her hidden treasure so the letter will be even more "real" for her.  It will be placed on the door step after school where I will be ding-dong-ditching.  I know its crazy ... but I have to reign her in some way.  I am thinking of sealing it with red candle wax to add the extra level of authentication.  If I only had an S stamp to take it to the ultimate level of fear.  Oh well ... better planning next year.  

I will keep you posted on her progress.  Next step ... the naughty list delivery.

Mama ain't playing!

xo,
MPM


12.07.2011

Things that say Christmas to me ...

There are certain things to me that just say Christmas.  Here are just a few ... 

1.  The Real Simple Magazine ... 50 Gifts under $50. 
I love to grab the magazine and dog ear the pages.  I get great ideas for the hard to buy fors in the family.   
When I bought the magazine last week I found a needlepoint Kindle cover for my mother.  Sold Out ... of course!  Back to the drawing board for her ...



2.  The Red cup at Starbucks.  
I know it simple ... but I love it!!  A latte and a Cranberry Bliss Bar ... perfect little treat for moi.


3.  Packages piled up at the front door.
Ebates is inspiring me to do most of my shopping online and nothing says Christmas like a pile of boxes stacked up at the door waiting for me.  So much fun!!!!



4.  The mailbox full of Christmas cards.  
 Don't you love it?   I possitively love getting mail and Christmas cards are by far the best.  And all the photos ... its like having friends in the house at all times.  This was a party invitation ... even better! 

5.  A list written all in red.  
I make a list of all the items I purchase so I know who gets what when I wrap.  I have been know to have a gift and not remember who it goes to ... which is bad bad.  I love to make the list in red.  It's festive!!!


6.  Peppermint bark ...
This is basically just crack.  I make bark to give out to teachers and friends but peppermint bark is a little treat just for moi.



7.  Vanessa Williams Christmas CD
I have a lot of holiday CDs.  But this one is by far my favorite and can be found in my car cd player from December 1 until I feel its inappropriate to keep playing it in January.

What gets you in the Christmas spirit?

xo,
MPM

12.06.2011

Still working ...

I didn't get very far yesterday but I have a better plan today.  I did not have any luck with the boxwood wreath so I just bought a regular one and embellished it.  I am still trying to replace the topiary (x2) at the front door and I am headed to Pike's Nursery today.  Thanks Aunt Grits, you always know where to find dirt stuff.  (Call me for the best sales and to find out how many plaids you can successfully mix together and call you for outside stuff, xoxo)  I am planning to take my pots and pay extra to have them planted.  I despise dirt and its drizzling outside so the only way they will be complete and fabulous is it they do it for me!!!  By the end of today I should have the front decorated and the tree up from the basement and at least lit.  I have decided to place it in the entry and the lights from the tree will shine thru the front door.  Pinterest, of course.  Still feeling blah so I am planning to start the day with a holiday Lucky Buck and some Vanessa Williams.  

It is hard to decorate when your best friend keeps calling and texting and you know he is heartbroken.  

I am trying to splash some Christmas up in here and he is planning a funeral.

It's wrong ... very wrong.

But ... I will do it!!!  He would want my house decorated.  His house has a wreath on the door and evergreen and holly sprinkled all around the house.  I made sure of it before I left Sunday night.  I tied his wreath with burlap ribbon and it looked amazing on his red door.  

I will have better luck today!!!  I am determined!

xo,
MPM

6:00 pm ... 
wreath finalized with glitter bow (and now I am covered with glitter)
tiny boxwood bushes planted in pots at the front door (and I am in need of a mani)
side of garage decorated (I like!!!)
spot light located and ready to be plugged in the am when it hopefully isn't raining
Lunch and 2 hours of quality time with the BFF
tree will be pulled out and dressed with lights once kids are nestled in their beds
all in all ... a great day!!!


12.05.2011

Time to get it going ...

I hoped to get the house all full of Christmas love this weekend but my plans got cut short.  Instead I spent the day yesterday with the gay bestie.  Much needed and time well spent.

Today its time to bust a move on the Christmas decorations before the neighbors think the Grinch lives here.

Be back later with pics ...

xo,
MPM

12.04.2011

Another day to be thankful!

Lawyer and I got into a fight yesterday.  It happens ... we are human.  Sometimes you just need a good fight to air out some bad air.  I cleaned the house yesterday, still looking for a housekeeper, and he did his thing.  

About 5:00 pm I got a call from the gay bestie.  He had horrible news.  His husband had passed away very unexpectedly.  He was devastated.  My heart is incredibly heavy for him.  

As I laid down very late to try to get some sleep I looked over at Lawyer who I was still mad at.  He was adding a Home Depot app to his I phone to be able to find out what time they opened this morning.  He had heard me telling the bestie's sister that I would bring a wreath for their front door.  And that is why I adore him. We had taken separate paths all day out of frustration with one another and his last thought before he fell asleep was to be there for David.  

I have another day my husband.  David does not.  As any other issue we have we will forgive one another and move on.  David's story is over.  Life is incredibly fragile.  


Lee and David

I love you David!  I can't wait to see you this morning.  

xo,
MPM

12.03.2011

Santa arrives in Marietta!

We were at the Marietta Square last night for the festivities!!!  Santa arrived on a fire truck promptly at 5:20 pm ... which we missed because of the traffic ... and the tree was lit at 6:00pm.  We watched Santa's arrival online and the kids did get to see him sitting in the gazebo.  It is a beautiful tree and the lighting was magical.  I love attending events on the square.  It makes me feel like I live in a small town.  I run into friends and people we know and the events are always planned perfectly.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that the event planner is one of my dearest friends.  She is truly fabulous.  But ... anyone who knows Aunt Grits would completely agree!!!


Of course we had to take our elves with us.  MHM insisted on being able to thank Santa for Candace.  
So sweet!


Thanks to the teenager for the great photo!


WPM's elf Ollie peeking out of his pocket.  He was so paranoid that he would lose Ollie so he borrowed a sweatshirt from his older brother with a big pocket to store him in just to be sure he would be safe.   


My kids LOVE Aunt Grits!!!  And she adores them ... its a mutual love!!!


She is adorable!!!  


The tree before the lighting ... 


... and after!  So beautiful in person.

And of course I was thrilled to score our Christmas card photo ...


It only took me four photos to get one I liked ... not too bad for my crew.  

It was a fun evening ... almost magical!

It is time to decorate the house ... December has arrived!

xo,
MPM

11.30.2011

Grown up Santa list

When I was a child I wanted every single toy made for Christmas.  I can literally remember circling everything in the Sears or JCPenny toy section much to my parents dismay.  My kids do the same thing.  Every single catalog that arrives or sale ad they get their hands on they are marking with sharpies and post its.  They make their lists for people who ask and then they may ask for three gifts from Santa.  The lists keep changing and getting longer.  It is almost funny. 

My list is a whole other story.  I want just a few things and unfortunately none of them are cheap.  Lawyer has not asked for my list yet ... but I will be ready when he asks!    




Red Hunter Wellies ... 




An ipad ...

Lawyer's office is switching from laptops to iPad.  I am thinking it would be good for me to have one too.  Right?


Another anniversary band.  

I think my finger is unbalanced, don't you?  Or at least that is what I am telling myself!  



The Cambridge chunky turtleneck sweater from JCrew in grey and yellow ... monogrammed!



And if he is still interested in buying gifts ... there is always the leopard Paige loafers ...


Don't you love them????

He might want to ask soon before the list gets any longer!

xo,
MPM

11.29.2011

Very upset little people...

So the weather channel yesterday was reporting snow this morning.  Not the kind that sticks and cancels school ... but the pretty, makes the kids excited kind.  They were pumped.  The teachers must have discussed it at school because they came off the bus shooting the news.  They must have checked the app on my iPhone a million and one times.  

They were ready.  They slept with their pjs inside out.  They flushed ice down the toilet.  They slept with spoons under their pillows.

The weather channel app was reporting they would wake up to snow flurries that would last most of the day.

They were so excited.

Until 6:30 am when they woke up and it was raining.

They are grumpy, short tempered and all around not fun to be with.  Getting ready for school was bad, bad.

Not cool weather channel app.  Not cool!

xo,
MPM

11.28.2011

We are so thankful ...

Thanksgiving dinner made two appearances at the Lawyer house this year, Thursday for my family and Saturday for Lawyer's.  Our families do not like to mingle.  It is silly.  And quite bothersome and absolutely not a practice I will adopting once my children get married!

I made one turkey, two hams, two pans of sweet potatoes, one large pot of mashed potatoes, one large pan of roasted brussel sprouts, two pans of dressing, gravy and three different kinds of cranberry.  We ate, ate again, warmed left overs, ate again and again and again.  And yesterday afternoon after church Lawyer brought home pizza.  It was time.  

All in all it was a great weekend.  The kids went to two movies, we played games and they roller bladed outside for hours during the warm days.  Lawyer and I watched two movies, The Dilemma and The Last Song.  Of course I cried during The Last Song ... I am such a sap.  I did accomplish a little shopping but very little.  I must, must, must manage that!  The kids see Santa this week so I should be able to get a good jump on it after that!  I hope!   

We all have so much things to be thankful for.  The kids and I made a list which I will share.  It is always so funny to me to hear the things they are thankful for.  At the top of MHM's list was God ... which makes this mama incredibly proud!  

I hope your Thanksgiving was yummy!!!

xo,
MPM

We are thankful for ...

God
my family
warm pjs
dressing and gravy
my grandparents
still living in Georgia
pie for breakfast
no school
warm coffee
ABC Family
Charlie Brown
a house filled with giggles

11.23.2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!!



All the prep is done ... the table is finished and the guests are preparing for bed!  The house smells like pumpkin pies and roasted vegetables.  We went out for Chinese food and are now cuddled up in my bed watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.  I couldn't be happier!!!


I love the table.  I will say it looks so much better in person.  Wish you were here!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

xo,
MPM 




All the prep is done ... the table is finished and the guests are preparing for bed!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

11.22.2011

Family time

I love this time of year.  I love how connected my family is during the holidays.  We snuggle in front of the fire, we make goodies together, we stay up late and play games and we watch ridiculously sappy and silly movies on ABC Family.  It's good stuff.

Last night I pulled up the schedule for the Countdown to Christmas on ABC Family and noticed that the pre-countdown has already started.  Kind of like Black Friday that is now starting on Thanksgiving, which is in a word, stupid. But my thoughts on that are a whole 'nother post!  So I showered and jammied up those yahoos and we snuggled in last night to watch The Search for Santa Paws.  Now ... I will tell you this is probably the dumbest movie I have seen in a while but we all piled into my bed and achieved the quality time I was looking for.  Lawyer may have played Words with Friends the entire movie but that's ok.  Like I said ... dumb movie!!!

Today I am off to finish off the Thanksgiving to do list and then home late this afternoon to finish prepping the house for our guests which begin arriving tomorrow.  I will be able to finish the day with grill cheese, tomato soup and a ABC Family double header.  I have already seen Surf's Up which airs at 6:30 but I am holding out for Happy Feet at 8:30.  I will be able to fold laundry and put it away during the commercials.  Good times I tell you!!!  Good times!

If it was only cold enough here in Atlanta for a fire I might be in heaven!

Looks like I will be waiting until Sunday or Monday for that possibility!!

xo,
MPM

11.21.2011

I heart plaid!!!

The kids are out for the week of Thanksgiving and I have done a big fat nothing all day.  Well, that isn't totally true.  I have been conversing on twitter, fluffed my Thanksgiving table with flatware, glasses and some leaves, had lunch with Hair Girl and her crew and have been adding photos to my boards on Pinterest.  

All in all ... really nothing!

The Thanksgiving table is basically done, it just needs place cards.  I found a link on potterybarn.com for  vintage post cards and am now just needing ink for the color printer and some card stock to finish that little project.  The instructions say to print the cards and then add a layer of velum on top with the guest's name and tie them together.  Perfect!!!

So ... why not let my mind wander about Christmas decorations?  

I am thinking plaid ... all plaid ... mixing plaids.  I am thrilled to try it!!!

Here is what I have uncovered so far to inspire me ...


I am thinking it will be grand ... and I will be decorating for Christmas before I know it!

xo,
MPM

11.20.2011

Sunday letters ...

This is by far my new favorite thing to do.  I will confess that this week I had to struggle to compile my letters.  I am tired.  Two weeks with no Lawyer and I am pooped.  But ... after some quiet time I found plenty to be thankful for ... 

Dear Lawyer, Thank you for giving me the gift of staying home with our children.  Even a bad day with them is a thousand times better than any day I can imagine.  They are amazing and I am blessed to be able to call myself their mother.  Dear God, Thank you for always being there for me.  I do not always ask for your help but when I do you provide it to me beyond what I could ask for or even dream of.  I have found myself very weary this week and you have stood me up and given me the strength and grace that only comes from you!!!  Dear Target, Wow!  I was able to catch up with a dear friend with you today.  She and I chatted and connected.  It  was fabulous and we have three dates on the calendar when we will see each other very soon.  Many thanks!!!  Dear Fall, you have been a gorgeous sight to behold this year.  Every single day your colors inspire me.  I am amazed we still have leaves on the trees ... but we do and they are amazing colors to enjoy.  Dear HSM, I am speechless by you this week.  You completed a literary portfolio that is sure to earn you an A+.  You will be fifteen in five short days and I am the luckiest mom in the world to have you in my life.   Dear WPM, You are a rock star!!!  You have worked so hard the past couple of weeks at school and you are now the proud owner of your first three As.  I know you are as proud as I am.  You inspire me to be a better person, mother and advocate.  I adore you!!!  Dear MHM, Your laugh makes my heart sing.  You are a great friend and an amazing supporter of your older brother.  I watch you love him beyond words and encourage him to be all he can be.  I am blessed to have you as my only female accessory in the house.  Girls rule!!!    Dear Hubs, You are a welcome sight in the bed next to me.  I am so glad you are home for at least a week.  Let's try for two!! 

Hope your week was a good one!!

xo,
MPM

11.17.2011

Blog reading = smart me!

I learn so much reading blogs.  I read more design blogs than anything else ... but I do read a few very stylish blogs that I heart greatly.  You can learn so much ... its like college for mommies!  Ha ...

Yesterday I discovered MeebleMail while reading Social Climbers.  Holy fabulousness!!!!!  You can create stationery for your email.  Then ... every time you send an email it is just like sending a handwritten note.  Swoon ... now just to chose a pattern.  I am stuck between this one, this one and this one.  I truly like the Dabney Lee print but I do own a pink bicycle with a basket which I love to ride thru the neighborhood.  Hmmm ... and to boot .. the bicycle print also comes dressed for the holidays.  Are you kidding me?  Then they have plaid and menswear prints and sorority themes.  I swear, each one of them is cuter than the last one.  Where in the world do people come up with all of these amazing ideas???

I wanted to ask Lawyer last night to help me chose ... however he is currently in LA and on a totally different time zone.  Plus, his response to me would have been something like ... "you must be kidding" or "can't you call a bestie to help you with the crisis du jour?" or my favorite ... "isn't that why you love that gay bestie so?".  

Whatever ... men never realize how important the little decisions can be.

Hee hee ...

Enjoy!
xo,
MPM


11.16.2011

Rainy Wednesday!

I am almost done with the table setting for Thanksgiving.  Since the kids are out all of next week I need to make sure that all is done for the planning.  I will not be able to tote the two youngest all over town without much fuss ... so must complete today and tomorrow.  

It started with this ...


Then became this when I added the brown place mats and the white plates ...


And currently looks like this ...


No where near done ... but getting there!  I still need to gather all the flatware, glasses and fluff the table.   I am also debating monogramming my napkins.  Thoughts? I would like to add some pheasant feathers and ribbon.  And this is only one of two tables I am decorating.  The other one in the kitchen will be almost identical.  I just ordered 3 inch burlap ribbon from Amazon which arrives Friday so I am growing closer by the minute.

The weather in Atlanta today is highly undesirable.  It has been raining most of the day with tornado sirens and warnings.  My dogs hate the sirens and I dislike having to check and recheck the weather to make sure I don't need to duck and cover.  The kids came home from school talking all about spending quite a bit of time in the hall tucked "into position".  MHM keeps reminding me that her teacher told her more than once to make sure her "bottom was tucked in".  Apparently she thought as long as her head was covered she was protected.   The vision is hysterical.  And of course I would know this because she keeps demonstrating the right way and the wrong way.  Hysterical ... I promise you!

I ran errands today sporting these ...


I heart them!!!

Hope your day was grand.

xo,
MPM

11.15.2011

T-day prep ...

I have been spending all of my down time (read quiet time at the hospital with Papa post-surgery) planning our Thanksgiving festivities.  We are hosting not one but two days of yumminess.  I have both menus planned, delegated food to guests and am now working on table prep and outfit prep.  My plan is to have our Christmas card photo taken during the festivities so I do want all of us looking our best!!!

After catching up on blog reading this am I popped over to JCrew to check out their new arrivals.  And instantly fell in love with these ...


Aren't they fabulous?  I am madly in love!  They are perfect!!!

I can pair them with a white woven for Thursday's plans and then wear them again on Saturday with a blue woven and my orange jacket not that different from the one pictured above.  I can even add a scarf on Thursday from one of Alice's scarf tricks this week. 

Now to just find the perfect loafer ...

And to finish my table setting plans and we will be good to go!!!

I love the holidays.

Can you tell?

xo,
MPM

11.14.2011

My kids!

The light of my lives ... I thought I would give you some information on each!!!

MHM 


The mini me.  The fire in the house.  The life of the party.  Our 7 year old goes by so many names.  Her Daddy calls her "puddin'" ... her middle brother and best friend in the world calls her "my baby" and I have too many names to count.  She is an amazing child with an incredible level of self confidence.  She will try anything and has almost no fear.  She loves to swim and play soccer and is great at  both.  There are so many things I admire about our baby girl.  She is a great student and loves to read.  She is a great friend.   She is incredibly protective of her older brother and probably will end up in the office one day having beat some poor kid up for teasing someone.  Every single day I tell her she is smart, funny and the prettiest girl at the party.  She always giggles and responds ... "But we aren't at a party".  And every night before she goes to bed I tell her I love her more than peanut butter and she tells me she loves me more than jelly.  

I love you baby girl!!!


WPM


Our ten year is one very special kid.  He is the funniest person I know.  He loves to play four square and ride his scooter.  He is great on his roller blades and loves to ice skate.  He also loves to snuggle up on the sofa and watch movies.  Although he struggles in reading and math, he is the best writer I have ever met.  He has a photographic memory and is quite the informant.  If you want to know something ... I promise he can tell you or find it.  He can write a personal narrative that is worthy of publishing.  And he can type it for you.  When he was 7 he wrote a love letter that still makes me swoon.  He is girl crazy and told me yesterday that God gave him the ability to whistle so he could whistle at all the pretty girls. 

This sweet boy has a heart of gold.  He would do anything to help another and never leaves my side when I am sick.  His favorite food is pretzels or popcorn.  When he grows up he wants to be a geologist and I will do all I can to make sure he has ever chance to be all he can be!

You inspire me Boo!!


HSM


Our soon to be 15 year old is the best teenager I have ever met.  He is the classic first born ... very responsible and anal to the bone.  His room might be a mess but his homework is done perfectly and turned in early.  He is a great judge of character and has an amazing group of friends.  He has a very dry sense of humor and will be the first to tell you he is funny.  In his first year of high school he has blossomed.  It is his favorite grade by far.  He has an interest in community service and loves to help the elderly.   He loves to travel but also is just as happy at home hanging with his buds.  He likes to hunt and goes out each year with my dad starting in late November.  Currently he is almost two inches taller than me and is no where near done.  He will be an amazing father and husband one day ... and I will continue to be one proud mama!

I love you babe!

I hope you enjoyed the post ... I love to talk about my three favorite accessories!!


11.13.2011

Weekly letter

Last Sunday I wrote letters on the blog to sum up my week.  I really enjoyed doing it and have decided to make it a weekly thing.  I think that life goes too fast and it is easy to lose sight of all the things we have to be thankful for, all the blessings we are given.  I am truly trying to slow down and enjoy my life more.  When you live each day for that day only it is so much easier to do.  Since our move to Kansas is not off the plate I have forced myself to live one day at a time.  Not to think about next week or next month but just about today.  It has been the best gift I could have ever given myself.  If I had only thought of you so many years before ...

Dear Lawyer, I loved hanging out with you all day Saturday and again today.  Since you are gone most weeks I truly treasure our weekends together.  Dear Swallow at the Hollow, you remain one of my favorite joints.  Your salads are one of a kind and the family loooooves your ribs!   Dear Tazo Orange Blossom Tea, you are my new favorite!  I know you are so much healthier than espresso.  I think this fall you and I will be great friends.  Dear Monday, I am truly looking forward to you.  You have nothing on your list and I am thrilled to be spending the first day of the week with nothing planned.  Dear Hair Girl, thank you for my cut and color.  I think I love the new length, even though it is approximately three inches shorter.  Baby Girl says I look like Kit Kittredge.  I guess I should think about adding a bow for special occasions.  hee hee!  Dear Shug, cheers to our date night tonight.  It's been a long time since we tucked the kids in and focused on just you and me!

Hope your day is glorious!
xo,
MPM

11.11.2011

Road trip success!

I apologize for not posting yesterday ... I had a family commitment that needed my full attention.  All is well, great actually, so I am back posting today.  I almost feel naked if I don't post.  It has become such a regular part of my day.

We had a blast in Columbus!!!  Christie Leigh Mueller is more adorable in person that she is in photos!!!  She is the whole package ... incredibly driven and someone you would want to make your best friend.  I adore her!!!  The photos are coming ... I am gathering them to share with you!

I curled up in bed last night with her book Gridiron Belles and loved all I read.  It is so well written and so fun to read.  I love all the "extra points".  Of course I started with the Florida Gators pages, what else would a Gator do?  And she knows what she is talking about.  Since my Dad grew up in Gainesville and both his parents were professors at the University I grew up going to tailgates, games and the most fun for me, Gator Growl.  I loved having the tattoo on my check on Saturdays and posing with Albert and Alberta.  It was good times.  It was hard for me to not attend the University of Florida.  My mother was getting her masters when I left for college and I was not attending the same university as my mother ... so I attended the University of Central Florida.  It was a great second choice for me.  I could be at the beach after class in 32 minutes and still spend ever single Saturday during football season in Gainesville.  And yes ... I do bleed orange and blue!!!

Be back soon with pics ... 

Have a great Friday!

xo,
MPM
 

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