[Gurlee]Girrl Friday

First off, it's Friday and that means it's time to see this weeks colors:

I started the week with this turquoise color and some sparkle.  This brand of polish was new to me and I thought it was pretty good.  it took several coats to get to the desired coverage, but overall, it was resilient to chips! 

The second color this week was:

Libby sent these as a part of my Spring Sweets Blog Swap, and I loved them!! The coral is so springy and uplifting and the white crackle is just enough pizazz. 

What are your favorite colors for spring? 

Now on to some randomness:

• Oh what a week it has been.  After being in the same exact spot at work for 15 years, they decided to move my department to the 3rd floor of our building.  I was NOT happy about this, however, I now have a much more private spot and windows!! I never thought I'd see the light of day at work, but now I get it all day!  So loving my new home. (excuse the boxes - I'm still in moving mode)

• Tonight is the Spring Fling at Colton's school.  He is excited to go to the "haunted house" which has been brought back after popular demand.  I hope I don't have to go in with him.  I actually took him through it a few years back and it scared the crap out of me.  Who knew that a elementary school could put together a haunted house that would give any Jaycees a run for their money.  NOT ME
• The weather around these parts is finally warming up.  Looks like within the next week we will be seeing 70 degrees!  Although 70's is not that awesome, it is compared to the shit-ass weather we've been having.  I'm sick of the cold and REALLY sick of the rain.

• With the nice weather, it's getting me excited for this upcoming summer.  I have visions full of mountain biking, camping and hiking.  I also have several fun concerts planned so this will not be a dull summer for sure.
• I ordered a new Coach purse today.  I bought one a few months back and it just isn't big enough for me.  Since I never zip it up, I even lost my make-up bag (and that was a NIGHTMARE).  So I found a pretty pretty one and can't wait for it to arrive.

• Looking forward to seeing all my bowling buddies tomorrow.  Feels like it's been forever since our last!  Momma is looking forward to some hard cider......

With that - I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend!!

Spring Sweets Blog Swap Reveal

I was excited to participate in the Spring Sweets Blog Swap again this year.  Casey assigned swap partners, and I began stalking Libby's blog.  This lucky newlywed is living in southern Florida (so jealous!) and blogs about her life and her amazing family. 

After a few emails back and forth, I got my package assembled and shipped out to sunny Florida!  I, in return, received my package from Libby.  To say she was generous would be an understatement.  Libby picked items out that were absolutely perfect for me.  I was overwhelmed.  It was better than Christmas morning!!!

Check it out for yourself.



So many things to unwrap!!



Postcards from Florida hot spots!!



She used the postcards as my letter (what a AWESOME idea)!



EOS Lip Balm & Hand Lotion

 

LOOT!!!!!



The girl obviously knew my love of nail accessories!! Holy cow I was in HEAVEN.



She even got a toy for my Boo and paper for Ashley!! She was beyond thoughtful!



Pink Ribbons (very dear to me) and DARK Chocolate!!!!!



And my FAVORITE item ELVIS BINGO!!!! Family bingo night here we come!

I cannot find the words to express my appreciation to Libby.  I've never felt that my blog expressed the person I truly am, but honestly every item I unwrapped was an OMG moment because it felt like she knew me intimately, although we've never met.  This little 'ol blog has given me the opportunity to interact with some amazing people, and Libby is for sure one of them!

Mom I Want.....

The day I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.  I’ve been anticipating it, even slightly looking forward to it.  I started to think the day would never come.   But it did, today.

Ashley:  Mom, when you have time this week can we go shopping?

Me :  For what?

Ashley:  Well you know the brand North Face? 

Me:  Um, yeah, why?

Ashley:  I want a pink, fuzzy North Face jacket.  One with a hood.  I want to pick it out.  I don’t want you going and buying me one.  I want to see it first to make sure it’s the right one. 

Me:  Well find a picture of it and show me.

Ashley:  Ok, but mom, I don’t want you getting me a different color one, I only want pink.  My friend so-and-so has it in purple, and my other friend has it in blue.

Ashley isn’t your typical “pre-teen” girl.  She doesn’t have a 100 BFFs, doesn’t go ga-ga over boys, and has never cared about any of the clothes she wears.  Don’t get me wrong, she likes fashion, but has never been hung up if her “skinny” jeans came from Target or Macys. 

I remember my sister asking me “doesn’t Ashley wear Aero clothes?”, and my reply was “huh? no, she’s never mentioned it”.   My sister then informed that all the “cool” kids were wearing Aero (this was in 4^th grade).  When I mentioned it to Ash, she was just like “yeah, I guess you can buy me some shirts from there”.  She didn’t care. Next came the Holister trend.  Never once did she ask for that either.   She’s never asked for any brand until today.

I remember being her age, wearing  designer jeans and name brand tennis shoes.  I also remember begging my mom to buy me a pair of “Madonna” boots that were well over $100 (in the 80’s), and they were definitely too old for me, but my parents bought them for me, because I wanted them.  I also remember only wearing those boots 1 time.  One freaking time.

I told Ash to send me a link to the pretty, pink, fuzzy hoodie she wants.

 

And yes, she is a beauty (and now I want one), but it also comes with a not-so-beautiful price tag of $140!

Luckily, although my kids are spoiled, they are not demanding.  They do understand that they do not get gifts other than on special days.  Once I told her that $140 for a coat is a little pricey for us, she said, “Well maybe I can get it for my birthday?  I want it for 7^th grade.”   I told her I’d think about it and look for one for her.  I’m sure by September, she’ll have changed her mind, or at least decided on a different style.  Until then, I have a few months to sock some money away, so she can have her awesome, pink, fuzzy hoodie.

My first reaction was to jump online and order it for her today, since I’m so excited that she finally wants something.   But the “smart” Heather said, ummm $140 is a lot of money, and she needs to understand that just because she wants something ,she certainly doesn’t need it, at least today as we sit upon the start of Spring/Summer.  What do you think, is a $140 hoodie too much to spend on a kids coat?  Should she have to “work” for it?  Should it be a present?   Or am I just crazy cheap living in my own la-la land, while other kids are sporting their coats like it’s nothing (which they do, and I see)?

Spring Break 2013

Saturday, March 30th, was the kick-off of our spring break this year.  We celebrated my dad's and niece's birthday with lunch at Outback Steakhouse and ice cream and cake (baked by yours truly) at my parent's house.

I love the whole 1980's feel of the cake due to the sugar decorations.  It wasn't my best work, but it was a great tasting cake.  It was pink lemonade cake, pink lemonade frosting between layers and sparkly hot pink vanilla frosting on the outside.  I couldn't resist a piece myself.

After the party, it was time for bowling.  Bowling is about winding down for this session and it's been fun bowling with KevBoy and Soccer Steph.  They are just the cutest and keep me entertained.  I have also discovered a love of Angry Orchard Hard Cider.  They go down way to easy - and at 220 calories - that is not a good thing.  Why does everything awesome have calories????  After bowling we enjoyed some $3.00 Bud Light Limearitas.  Love that salty/sour combo.

Easter morning was upon us and the kid's got personalized tote baskets this year.  Ashley got a new iPod Touch to replace her broken one, as well as candy, a camping journal and a fishing pole.

Colton got The Amazing Spiderman for Xbox 360, Luigi's Mansion for his 3D DS, a Star Wars game for his Wii, candy. a camping journal and a fishing pole.

After gift opening, we hit the road for our Spring Break trip to Pigeon Forge, TN.  We camped overnight in Mount Vernon, KY, before arriving in Pigeon Forge on Monday.

We stayed at the KOA on Veteran's Boulevard, which is centrally located to many of the local attractions.  The kids were in love with the basketball court and playground, which was just across the road from our lot. It was only in the 50's most of the week, but it was a good change from the freezing weather we were used to at home.  Living in a RV for the week was an adventure, but after the camper was "fixed" and momma got her heat back, life was good.

We were in walking distance to the Old Mill and took advantage of the walking track daily.  We had our first supper there and it was so good!  I had Corn Chowder, Corn Fritters, Chicken and Dumplings and Blackberry Cobbler.  Holy cow it was good!

The highlight of the trip was a visit to Parrot Mountain.

As you can see the venue is very hands-on.  We were able to feed the parrots birdseed (mixed with cat chow??), and nectar to the Australian Lorikeets.  I was so surprised how "people loving" the Lorikeets were.  It took my 5 minutes to get all of them off of me.  They would fly from person to person and land anywhere they could on you, most of the time your head! The kids though this was hilarious, I was in fear of being peed on the whole time.  It was fun and a nightmare at the same time.

I didn't take many pictures of the rest of the trip, which included a day at the NASCAR Go-Kart and Amusement Park and numerous arcades.  After all, the kids were in charge.

I'm looking forward to some more camping trips very soon!