What's on my mind ♥

Hello Friends!

All day today I kept thinking it was Wednesday. Thankfully I was wrong because it's Friday eve and it's almost the weekend.  Today was pretty uneventful...well to blog about anyway.  All blogs aside, I worked all day and caught up with paperwork and emails that had been piling up.  I had lunch with my Dad which was nice, and I also managed to get three loads of laundry done in between emails.  A perk of working from home : ) 

John and I had a long talk tonight about the future and his schooling.  He's decided not to go to a traditional 4 year college after high school.  He says it's not for him and Rob and I respect his decision.  However, he would like to study music, so we are looking at local schools in and around Boston with music programs.  He wants to live at home and work while taking courses.  There's a lot of options out there, we just have to find the right fit for him. I've always felt that it would be wrong to push him into going to college if it wasn't something he was truly passionate about.  College isn't for everyone and that's OK.  There are plenty of other options out there and opportunities for kids to have successful careers. We found a few prospects online and will look into those next week. He's also making an appointment with this guidance counselor.  Stay tuned for updates ♥

So that's what I'm going to bed thinking about.  That and the fact that a week from tonight is Halloween and I don't have any Halloween candy yet! I have to get myself to Walmart this weekend and pick some up.  Hopefully they aren't sold out of all the "good" candy.  Do you have yours yet?  If so, have you dipped into it?  Maybe it's a good thing I haven't bought it yet.  It could be gone by next week! LOL

Have a wonderful night my friends.  Maybe by the time you read this it's already Friday! YAY!

Xx 

A little real talk...♥

 Hello Lovely Friends ♥

I hope you are all doing well.  Can you believe we are closing in on the end of July.  Yesterday was my birthday and by this time of the summer I am itching to decorate for Fall.  And although I know it's too soon yet, my heart is thinking about cool crisp autumn nights, the smell of a fire, cozy blankets, and steaming hot bowls of soup.  Last night Rob and I were talking about a restaurant that we haven't been to in ages, and I only want to go in fall because it's a very old place with creaky wood floors.  They always have a fire crackling in the huge fireplace. The mantle is gorgeous. There is an upstairs and we always are seated up there.  The staircase is narrow and CREEKS as you are going up. They have candles in the windows all the time (like at Christmas) and serve the most delicious chowder. It's very New England.  It's so cozy on a frosty evening, so we made a date for the first cool night of the season. That's what we call simple living.  Little things that make us happy.  I can't wait.  

So yesterday I quietly turned 50.  I say quietly because that's how I wanted it.  No big hoopla.  I took the day off from work and spent the day relaxing at home. Rob, John, and my Dad were home too.  We had coffee and some treats in the morning.  I watched some tv for bit after that and then I had to take John to a driving lesson in the afternoon.  While I waited for him, I popped into Marshalls and treated myself to some new makeup and skincare.  That was fun. Later that night we had a yummy seafood meal from a local place, and I picked up my favorite cake for dessert - Pepperidge Farm coconut cake.  I open cards and a few gifts from friends which were so very thoughtful and answered messages on Instagram and Facebook. I felt blessed. 

 I have never been a person who liked to make a big deal out of my birthday.  I love celebrating other peoples, but not my own.  This year I felt pressure because I was turning 50, but really...it's no big deal.  I don't feel any different.  Today it was back to work and laundry and cooking dinner and it's like it never happened.  And I'm ok with that. I'm not sad about my age.  In fact, there are many great things about being 50!  I'm grateful to be here! In some ways I feel better about myself than I did in my 30's and 40's.  I'm confident and don't really care what other's think of me.  I don't fear missing out on things and I never feel pressure to go places I don't want to go to.  I can choose comfort over fashion if I feel like it and go to bed early without judgement.  All good things.  

However, if I'm being honest (and I've always been honest on here) July has been a hard month for me.  I miss my mom.  I'm overwhelmed with things to do at home.  I feel a weight of responsibility that I've never felt before. My Dad was in the hospital for a few days last week.  Thankfully he's home now but that experience took years off my life.  Too many similarities to my mom and I very much dislike the hospital. To top all that off, my work is very busy, and I constantly feel like I'm playing catch up.  Life is hard and I know that's not just me, it's everyone these days.  I've always tried to be a positive person.  I said to Rob the other day, it's hard to be positive when you are constantly being disappointed by people.  I just hate it.  I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to be a pity party...I'm just venting.  I never want anyone to think it's all sunshine and roses over here.  Yes, I love my coffee and candles, but sometimes I feel sad.  I think that's normal right?  So, what I do is curl up in bed, watch Lucy or a Hallmark movie and take a rest.  Recharge my batteries.  Rob says I need a vacation.  He's right.  We are going to New Hampshire next weekend with Rob's family.  A trip that's been in the works since last year. We have a lovely house booked at the foot of Loon Mountain.  I'm looking forward to it.  New Hampshire is one of my favorite places.  A perfect reset. The mountain air and views are spectacular. But because Rob knows that I might need more than that we are going to Ogunquit Maine for a few days at the end of August as well.  I've never been so I'm kind of looking forward to that trip a little more (don't tell anyone!).  I was able to book a hotel right near the water. Yay because it's peak season and I was afraid they would be all booked.  We will sit on the ocean rocks and eat lobster rolls, go to antiques stores, and sleep in if we want to.  Yes, John will be with us because I would be sad if he wasn't.  There's still time this summer to enjoy it before the fall comes.  

And speaking of John, here's a kid whose living his summer dreams.  He's been so busy working, driving, going to youth group, guitar lessons, going to the beach and out to eat with his friends. He's having the best summer a 16 year old can have and I'm SO happy about that!!!!  We have coffee together every morning before work and tea every evening and my mommy heart is so full of love I could explode.  It's not possible he'll be 17 next month.  I just can't believe it.  This last year he's been my rock.  I feel so lucky to have him.  He's pretty funny too :) 

On Tuesday night we went to the beach with my friend Julie and her two boys (who are John's best friends) and we had a fun night.  I'll say it a thousand times, the beach in the evening beats the beach in the afternoon any day!  Once the sun went down the boys lit a fire (because you can do that on this beach) and Julie surprised me with cupcakes for my birthday.  It was so sweet and I'm grateful for her!  And as much as I'm willing summer to end, I do love sitting by the ocean on a summer evening.  There is magic in that sea air.

 I'm sure of it ♥

Ok, so I guess I don't hate everything about summer.  It has some good things going for it...: ) 

Thank you to all my online (and real life!) friends who texted or messaged me on Instagram and Facebook.  It's really the best part of a birthday isn't it? Hearing from the people you love.  Thank you for making my day.  I have to share this screenshot that my friend Patricia posted on my Instagram.  I was feeling blahhhh that morning until I saw this.  

Is that not hysterical!! She's the best! ♥

Have a wonderful day my friends! I'll see you back here soon.  And in case you're wondering, I haven't forgotten how to cook.  I'll be back at it soon (with videos!) so stay tuned. 

Love you all!  xoxo 

The Things I Know: ♥

 

The things I know:

I know I need 7 hours of sleep a night to not feel tired during the day. 

I know I feel better when I don't skip lunch and eat 3 meals a day. 

I know my skin loves it when I wash my face at night and moisturize it before bed. 

I know coffee in the morning is essential to my well being and the well being of others around me.

I know as far as friends are concerned quality is way more important than quantity. 

I know, for me, simple living is best. 

I know the power of a comfortable pair of slippers and a soft cardigan.

I know that nothing is permanent and all situations will change at some point - for better or worse.  

I know that carrot cake is a very underrated dessert.  Very delicious too. 

I know that I Love Lucy had made me feel happy since I was 12 years old. 

I know that I like to be alone sometimes. 

I know that it's ok to say no things that I really don't want to do.  

I know I need to please myself before I please others.  

I also know that Paul is the best Beatle, Rose should have saved Jack, and life is too short not to eat dessert.

These are just some of things I know to be true.  For me ♥

Happy Wednesday Friends! 

Real talk, round 2 ♥

 

It's been raining all day! Since it was my day off I had it in mind to bake a nectarine custard pie (this one).  I made it last year and loved it. Ever since I've been meaning to make another one.  Well, today...It didn't happen.  You know how on rainy days you feel tired and unmotivated?  That was me pretty much all day.  

Hence, no pie.  I'm regretting that now, by the way.   

 

 

So instead of pie, for today's post I thought it was about time for another "real talk" post. 

(you can read my first real talk post here) 

 

Here I'll give you some random facts about me that you may have not already known.  For example, on rainy days I like to sit on the couch and watch reruns of The Facts of Life and not make pies....

(well ok....that was just today, but seriously, I did love that show!)

 

 

Keeping it Real. Here goes.... I hope we can still be friends after this! ♥

 

1. I have never read a Harry Potter book or seen any of the movies.  I know. I may be the last soul on Earth that is completely in the dark when it comes to Harry Potter.  When I hear people talk about "Dumbledore" and "Voldemort" I have no idea what they're talking about. I think the words are funny and I'm secretly jealous that I'm not one of the cool kids who understands this lingo.  To my knowledge John has seen at least one of the movies but has not read any of the books.  Maybe a summer reading project for us? Tell me honestly....is it worth all the hype?  I would have A LOT to catch up on. 

 

 

 

2. I am a reality TV junkie.  It's true.  Mindless TV is my jam.  I'm not proud if it, but it's true.  I talk a lot about my love for Downton Abby and my endless devotion to I Love Lucy (we all know this) but what you may not know is that if there's a show on E or Bravo, chances are I'm into it.  Real Housewives of (insert a city/doesn't matter/watch them all/but I do love Beverly Hills and New Jersey the best), The Bachelor/Bachelorette, The Kardashians.  You get the idea. Please don't judge me, because I actually kind of love it.

 

 

 

3. I very rarely go out.  Now I don't want you to think that I'm a hermit or anything.  It's not that I don't leave the house.  I go to work everyday, run errands, and function in society.  It's just that socially I prefer to stay home.  I've always been this way.  I didn't go to my senior prom, I never went to football games, or parties on the weekends.  I've always preferred small get togethers over big ones. Even now,  I would rather meet a friend for coffee or go to a movie, (or stay home in my jammies) than attend a big party.  That's just me.  I like people, but I'm not a people person.  Does that make sense? And by the way....my husband is the exact opposite....so that makes things interesting.  Yup.

 

 

 

4. I still use hairspray like it's 1985.  Another thing I'm not proud of but have never been able to break the habit of.  I spray my hair everyday till it's rock hard.  Why do I do this? I hate the feeling of hair in my face, falling against my cheeks, or in my eyes. When I leave the house in the morning I do not want one hair out of place and let me tell you...thanks to Tresemme Extreme Hold, my hair isn't going anywhere!  I wish so badly I had a carefree hairstyle where I could just toss it about and it would look grand.  I've tried people.  I can't handle it. 

 

 

 

So there's 4 random "real life" facts about me.  Those weren't too weird or crazy, right? 

I would love to hear some "real life" random facts about you if you want to share : )

 

 

 

Well, I'm off to get a good night's sleep tonight.  I have a pie to bake tomorrow! ♥

 

xoxo

 

 

 

Real talk...round one ♥

Hello, my friends!

I was thinking about doing something a little different today.  In case you haven't heard, my new addiction is Snapchat.  Although I don't do much posting (yet) I am loving the little snipits of daily life I am being able to see. It's so fun to get peeks into people's "real life". I'm getting a bit addicted to it which is the last thing I need in my life, but it's too late now!
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Often on blogs and IG/twitter life seems so perfect, so styled, when in fact we all know that is not the case.  I think it would feel good to reveal some real life things about me so you would know that life isn't always coffee and apple pie. I've seen some of my fellow blogger do these posts and I thought it was about time I give it a try.

♥

So here goes....

I’m gonna put this out there and I hope some of you moms understand…..

deep breath….here goes…

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Sometimes... when I’m too tired to cook we have cereal for dinner.  There I said it.  Cereal, grilled cheese sandwiches, or scrambled eggs.  One or more of these make an appearance at least once a week at dinner time. There is just no way I can do a full sha-bang every night.  After work I’m tired or if its Thursday chances are the fridge is empty. 

That’s just real life, folks. 

♥

viola...add a tomato and it's a gourmet meal~

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Sometimes (a lot of times) John would rather have a frozen kid’s dinner than a meal I have made from scratch.  This is heartbreaking to me and used to really bother me, but now I just go with it.  I would rather have a happy eater at the table than one with an attitude.  I do limit him to one “kid’s cuisine” a week though.  Let’s not get too crazy. 
 

His favorite!

The funny thing is that I remember loving TV dinners as a kid so I sort of know where he's coming from : )

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I'm not a morning person.  I wake up at 6 am everyday because I have to, not because  I particularly enjoy it.  I don't like to talk to anyone right away but for some unknown reason someone in my house will want to strike up a convo with me 2 minutes after I've gotten out of bed. I don't get it. I want to say "are you new around here?"

 I need time for the coffee to kick in before I can function. 

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I really do love cleaning my house.  Homemaking is my thing.  I love vacuuming and dusting and arranging my little knick-knacks everywhere.  Although I do have a constant battle with my husband who says I have “too much stuff” (and I’m being nice with his choice of words) around the house.  He’s banned me from putting things on window sills because they are “in his way”.  The more I hear this, the more things I try to sneak into the house. The cuter the better!  I have stashes everywhere.  He also says I have too many candles, baskets, and kitchen gadgets.

(I know, right?!)  

He’ll never win this battle. 

♥

I have these cuties everywhere!

♥
 

And while we’re on the subject of husbands, let me just tell you that I have been married for 18 years.  Rob and I were married in October of 1998. I was 24 and he as 26.  He’s a wonderful husband who works very hard and I love him very, very much. 

♥

Most days it’s like this…
 

And other times it’s more like this…

And that’s just the way it is. 

But he empties the dishwasher and does his own laundry so it’s all good ♥♥♥
 

 

 

via

 

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I drive a very old and beat up car.  You will never see a photo of it on my blog.  Never. It’s been in several accidents over the years and as a result has silver duct tape on the front fender. It's rusty and dusty and right now one of the back doors is stuck.  This past winter it had something wrong with the thermostat and some days the heat didn't work.  I kept a blanket in the car to wrap up in for the days where I just couldn't stand it.  This car is the bain of my existence. But it’s completely paid for and that’s why we keep it.  More money for vacations and special things, which I love….but man… someday when I get a new car you will hear me rejoicing in the streets! 

btw - the heat got fixed and the a/c works wonderfully. 

I still want a new car, though...:)

via

I've been in this exact situation. Recently.

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Well, there you have it.  Real talk, round one.  I don't think I'm ready for a no makeup selfie on Snapchat yet, but this felt good!

I hope you won't judge me! xo
 

♥