Ironic

Not sure if any of you follow the Zodiac - but above is the symbol for Libra....(my sign) kind of ironic given my last post, huh?

Still Pondering and Revelations

And trying to figure out how I feel about turning 30. Or maybe it isn't the turning 30 part that has me down lately. Here's what has been going on...

- Back in February I finally gave in to the Husband and decided to go off the pill. I say gave in because he was ready for kids the day we got married. I have always known that I wanted to be a mom, and if you had asked me 10 years ago, would have told you I would have at least 1 kid by now. Things changed, as they normally do, and I found myself holding out. Not because I didn't want kids, I just didn't think I was ready. I have been lucky to have a decent job and have excelled (at least until recently) quite quickly. I grew to love the thrill of completing a project or task successfully and didn't want to give that up. Also, I was scared I would get pregnant right away and would be totally freaked out (I had reason to believe this as several friends were pregnant within 2 months). So, I decided not to go off the pill until I would be prepared if it happened month 1.....well if you read my previous post on turning 30, you know that hasn't happened. Guess I shouldn't have been so worried. Who knows what may have happened. And now I can only believe that God has a plan for us. And it will happen, in His time.

-The Husband is still working to establish his business. While this is nothing new to you all (I think I have mentioned it before), the stress of this can wear one down and it has done that to me on several occasions. Not only the monetary stress, but the beating oneself up for not being the supportive spouse she should be. Its hard to get past the stress and realize this is a lifelong dream of his and the hard part will pass. And believe me, when it passes, we will be celebrating like crazy....hopefully with a fabulous trip and some shopping!! ( Tahiti anyone?!?!)

- My parents have decided to move. They are staying within the same town (which is a bummer itself since I had hoped they would move closer, especially with the potential grandbabies.) They will be moving before I am able to get home. The house they are leaving is the one we moved into when I was 12 (I think). Its the only real home I have known and it will be weird to go to visit at another. I am very happy for them though as this is what they have worked towards for years and it seems the house has everything Mom and Dad wanted. Can't wait to see it! (Plus its a bit bigger so will have more room for visits and those grandbabies when they do come.)

- Speaking of babies...is it me or is everyone around me getting pregnant?!?!? Which makes point one even more difficult to handle. I'm trying to balance the supportive happy friend with my own disappointment.

-My birthday is coming up, but I am having to plan everything. We're visiting in Lexington and I have organized our outing to Keeneland and Dinner. And then the Husband keeps asking what I want....um, its only 12 days away now.....

-Some reorg is going on at work and the way it was going to shake out was not good for me (or at least that is how I felt). A couple days later it was sorted out or at least its better. Looks like I will be traveling to Lexington one week a month.

Sense a common theme?!?! BALANCE....and let me tell you - I am about BALANCED out..........

(shew I guess I just laid it all out there. But I have been holding these in and figured its my blog and it should be an outlet for me....so there you have it. I'm going to try to be more open in the future. I've heard that putting things in "words" makes you feel better. So, here's to me feeling better.)

Secret Single Behavior

Some of you have posted about what you do when your husbands go out of town. Generally that includes girls night, sappy movies, wine drinking, shopping, etc.

Let me tell you what mine has consisted of so far:

Working
Cleaning, serious cleaning. I dusted and vacuumed downstairs. Traded the summer pillows and throws to the Fall/Winter patterns. Cleaned the windows where Barley puts his nose to people watch. Removed the rug from the dining room (I hated it and decided the room would be better without it until we find one we like).
Yard Work. Pruning rose bushes, trimming trees and pulling weeds. And its not even done. But don't worry, I have told the Husband our Saturday is going to be filled with yard work since we need to aerate and seed.

Doesn't sound too fun does it......

Red Dress....

So I was going to post a picture of me in the cute red dress and the great belt I got to go with it...but the Husband took the camera.

Yes, you read that right I found a belt to go with it. But, you'll never believe where I found it, well maybe you will......I found it at Target for $16.99 or 10% of the price of the Cole Haan belt I wanted. It worked well. You all will be able to see once the Husband returns with the camera....Until then...

Birthday Wish List

Ladies (and gentlemen if you are reading) I need help....I need you to help me figure out what it is I want for this birthday of mine. I just don't know...there are a couple things at BR (purse, shoes and jewelry, I think the clothes are leaving a lot to be desired right now)that I like, JCrew has some cute stuff, blah, blah, blah...that relates to asking for Gift Cards. That's not really fun (and it should be a fun birthday). Though I do need some new clothes that fit. I know you all don't want to listen to me rant on about how my clothes are too big, but its the reality and I really need a couple new things (mainly for work) that actually fit.

BR Shoes

BR Purse (above and below) The one above might be too big and the one below is grey and I told the husband I wanted black, but I like the style below. There are a couple at Nordstrom (can't get the pictures to download) in Black - Francesco Biasia, Elliott Lucca and Marc by Marc Jacobs...

JCrew Kelsey Ruffle - very cute but see above, I would probably need to find a skirt or pants to fit as well

Then I come back to my ultimate wish list...a Cartier watch (I used to say Tank, but there are some other pretty cool designs), some diamond studs, etc. Those are probably out of the picture this year. And are really only gifts The Husband would get me or I would get myself with a big bonus!

Cartier TankCartier Roadster

And there are things I would like for the house, like picture frames (Big ones for paintings), a new rug in the dining room, etc....

So....I am still stuck with this dilemma ... people want to know what I want for my birthday........and I DON'T KNOW and Gift Cards are BORING....but might be the easiest answer.

Anti Shedding Shampoo

Not for me (though I seem to need it lately) but for the dog does NOT work. I vacuumed before Barley's bath on Friday. By Saturday morning there were little hair balls everywhere. Thus increasing my vacuuming frequency.

Anti Shedding Shampoo for Dogs....FAIL

29 going on 13

Or at least that's how it feels....my hormones are so out of whack from not being on the pill (referenced in last post and more details to come sometime). My face has been breaking out more now than it did when I was a teen....Seriously WTF...I thought you were supposed to outgrow that.

Birthday

So, I kind of have a big birthday coming up...one that will change my profile description...and I am not sure how I feel about it...part of me thinks it is no big deal, the other part thinks HOLY SHIT! Am I where I thought I would be, have I done what I wanted to in my 20s, should I feel older? Yikes, this is kind of freaking me out. I'm trying to hold on to the "its not that big a deal" but its getting harder. It is making me reflect on everything...jobs, life, kids, friends, etc. I think its good, in the long run, but my head is spinning...so much so that I've been a bit emotional. Last week was WEIRD...I totally lost it on the first day of my period. I blamed it on the fact that I started - not only the PMS bit, but the actual fact I had started (not what you want when you're trying to procreate - yes that's a whole nother story I haven't shared on here). But, I think maybe its been this whole birthday thing, maybe underneath it all, I am scared. Maybe really scared, because as I reflect, I'm not sure I am where I thought I would be. And so I am left pondering this big birthday....

I'm sure there will be more posts of this sort in the next couple weeks as I approach the "big X-0" but I thought I would just put this out there. I may regret it, but its out there now...

On to brighter things...I better start thinking about what I want for my birthday........

HIMYM

James and I just love this show. Tonight was pretty good...not the best they have had, but good nonetheless....

Anyone else watch???

BTW - did anyone see NPH on the Emmy's last night? I missed it (we had football on) but hear it was great....

Floating Away

I think those of us in Atlanta might be floating away....This rain is absolutely crazy.

Had a wonderful weekend with my hometown BFF and her husband. She left this morning. We enjoyed catching up, I had not seen her since her wedding last May. Best part of the weekend...I get to be a Godmother!!! YEA!!

Pictures and a better recap to come...

Fall TV is starting

Tonight is the first night of BONES....I got hooked on the show last year and have been trying to watch the old episodes on TNT. I've seen a few. I am definitely curious how the brain surgery has impacted Booth....Or will they just move on....There are no clues on the website.

Now the decision is....DVR or watch live...hmm guess that depends whether or not we have tennis practice.

Closet Cleaning

I mentioned before that I cleaned my pantry and actually removed the China we got as wedding gifts from the original packaging. I thought I would show you photo proof (the pictures are a little late, but I assure you, I did the unpacking when I posted about it here.)

You can't see it very well, but all the china is there. I also worked to clear that counter. I left the KitchenAid Mixer (love it) and the phone. When I have fresh flowers I'll put them in that window. I would like to get some succulents (3 probably) to have there all the time.

I thought I would throw this picture in too. This is looking from the steps into the kitchen. As you can see, during the day the counter serves as my desk. So don't mind the computers, notebooks and lunch remnants.

I believe I mentioned this was the first of many closets that needed to be cleaned/organized in our house. You see, we do not have a basement for true storage, only the attic and the garage (which will eventually get cleaned as well). And somehow the 2 of us have amassed a load of stuff, some of it JUNK and some of it stuff we do need to keep. Most of this stuff is in the various closets we have. Fortunately, we each have our own closet in the master. I tackled mine yesterday and decided to post pictures (more timely this go 'round). I did not get to the color coordination that I would like, but after 2.5 hours in the closet, this will suit me for awhile.

This is looking to the right after walking in the door. The shoes used to be in a large pile and all mixed up. It is so calming to see them all on the shoe racks. I've covered the top layer in the back to keep the dust of (that's why you see the yellow and white cloths)

This is looking in the closet door from the bathroom. Under the pants is where the shoes used to be piled. Now it clear under there, except for my workout shoes (running, tennis, aerobics, and old running - yes still 4 pairs)

I am glad to have these 2 closets marked off my list...Hopefully next week I will have another one done. (see I said I would try to be better about posting pictures.....)

Dilemma

I bought the dress below during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. (This is the best picture I can find, but if you go here, you can see a better picture.)

I have decided I need to belt it. It looks good either way, but much more "trendy" belted. I was looking for a belt and found the one below...problem...its $178.00 and I have fallen in love. It is very versatile and I'll be able to wear it many ways. But still, that's a lot of $$$ for a belt....What do you all think??? (Oh, I'd be wearing patent black heels with it)

UPDATE: I did find this one at JCREW...what do you think? Its cheaper and in the same family, but skinnier....

Wow - a whole week has gone by

since I have posted. It flew by quickly....let's see what the Halfway House has been up to:

Friday night we went to Two Urban Licks for Midtown Restaurant week. Great atmosphere, a bit loud though. Food was pretty good, not spectacular as I had hoped. After dinner played cards til 3AM....We are definitely card playing fools...Happy to report my team won 2 games!

Saturday was FOOTBALL day. Went to the GA Tech game. Had a fun time, but had to take a nap post game. After nap, had a girls night at Wild Wings watching a friend's band perform. So, yes, another late night 2AM - that's me getting my groove on! Not sure why my arms look so big, they definitely are not that big. (these are the only 2 pictures of me from the weekend and I didn't even take them)

Sunday... Church (I'm teaching Sunday school), Harry's and Costco...we should be good to go on food for awhile! Cooked out with friends and watched I Love You, Man. Funny movie.

Monday - tennis for James, then tennis for me. Dinner with friends and early to bed to get ready for the week.

Any spare moment during the weekend was spent watching Tennis - YEA for the US Open!! There have been some interesting and not so interesting matches. Looking forward to the semifinals and final the rest of this week.

US OPEN

I've had the US Open on the past few days while working. Just finished watching GA native Melanie Oudin beat Elena Dementieva.....What a great match!!!

Lovin' some tennis right now!

Noah's Bday Weekend - Picture Post

These are in no particular order because I can't get them to move around. And they are kind of blurry - not sure why.

Going for his cake. He had already taken the Mickey candle from the center.

Me and the Birthday Boy prior to cake time

He likes to brush his teeth with an electric toothbrush...Let's be honest, I think he really like the vibration on the gums where the tooth is trying to pop through.

Uncle James feeding him Ice Cream....He definitely enjoyed that one! Not sure who doesn't like ice cream, though.

Just Playing around

Helping Uncle James fix Mommy's computer.

Say Cheese!

All ready for the car ride home. Mommy put him in his pjs so he could fall asleep in the car.

These deer were in the backyard at my MIL's house. They came up pretty close to the house.

James and the Birthday Boy

Who needs the presents, I like the paper. MMMM tastes good.

He did a good job ripping the paper, when he wasn't chewing on it.

Relaxing boat ride

Relaxing in the golf cart....Don't worry, I walked the first 9 and about half of the back 9....I am told that's close to 6 miles, with hills!

James swinging from the tee

Together in the cart.

So, now I am totally frightened by what will happen when we have children...I took over 100 pictures of our nephew and at least 8 movies....Baby overload!