2nd Sunday

Today is the second Sunday of Lent...Just checking in to let you know how I am doing on the Chips and Chocolate.....

I am happy to report that I have not had any chocolate, even at the temping of my loving husband.  We had a fireplace in our room on our trip to CA (I will post soon) and the Inn had the makings for s'mores....Needless to say, I enjoyed marshmallows and graham crackers.

Chips are another story.  But it depends on what makes up the "chips" category.  We grabbed a quick sandwich in the Salt Lake airport on our way on Tuesday.  Well James wanted some Doritos so we grabbed a bag.  They were sitting in my purse and I got hungry on the plane.  I had 2 before I realized I was eating chips.  But, was I????  What do you think?  Are they in the "chip" category??? 

As for flossing - I am proud to report I have flossed EVERY NIGHT so far!

Sweet Love

Something amazing happened yesterday and I just had to share it.  I was trying to get everything done and run out for a couple errands.  Well, everything was work, volunteer stuff, laundry and other house stuff and I didn't get out of the house until 6pm.  I still had laundry to fold and needed to vacuum, but had to run the errands in order for us to eat dinner and to bring on my trip today.  So, I can James before my last stop at Target (ladies, I made it in and out in about 15 minutes and only spend $50) to see if he was home and what he was doing....You'll never guess ladies.......

HE WAS CLEANING UP.  He had vacuumed and then did dishes and then folded laundry...It was so sweet.....I think he was just looking for a little baby making, but I'll definitely take it.  It was a relief to come home and be able to cook and enjoy dinner with him, rather than cleaning.

THANK YOU LOVEY!!!

Politics - Not really

 

(photo from www.thehollywoodgossip.com)

Jenny Sanford was granted a divorce today.  I don't really like to get into politics on this here blog of mine, but I thought this warranted a comment.  Jenny Sanford has been strong in light of her recent personal struggles.  While it is personal and something that I think most of us would not in public if it happened to us, I believe Jenny has set a wonderful example of sticking to your beliefs in tough times.  She wanted to make it work, but in the end kept true to herself.  

I think the way Jenny Sanford has handled the situation is admirable.

Florida Wedding Weekend

Our trip to Florida for my friend's wedding was quick, but very fun.  Nothing like a wedding to bring old friends together and to meet new friends.  We planned our trip hoping for warm weather and arrived on Thursday morning.  The idea was to sit by the pool on Thursday afternoon and for a bit on Friday.  Not so much.  The high was 60ish while we were there and I sported long sleeves and jeans most of the time.
Thursday evening was free.  We hung out with one of BFFs from way back and her parents.  They wanted to gamble so we ended up at the Hard Rock Casino in Seminole.  We had an okay time.  I lost and James broke even.  It was great to hang out with them.  We laughed and reminisced and just had an overall great time.  I realize how much I miss them!
The rehearsal went well and the dinner was delish and we even got party gifts!  Golf themed stuff for James and Lilly/Florida themed stuff for me!  The wedding was so fun!  The girls spent the day getting our hair done and then chilling at the hotel getting our make up done and checking out the progress in the ballroom.  Nothing prepared me for how beautiful it would look.  The ceremony was short, but sweet and performed by the groom's uncle.  The dinner was great and the dancing was FUN!!  Overall it was a great night and we didn't return to our rooms until about 2:30AM.  We took a 4 hour nap and headed to the airport.  (Unfortunately we missed the snow in Atlanta, but we hear it was pretty).   Pictures and commentary below.

Friend and fellow bridesmaid.  I was in her wedding shortly after mine.  (We hung out with her parents, and her and her husband Thursday night.  Her parents and husband kept James busy while we were away getting ready for the wedding)

James and I (not the best picture but was the only one that showed the full length of the dress I wore to the rehearsal.  I look pregnant in it and assure I am NOT.  That was AF bloat.)

A view of the room set up for the rehearsal.  Very bright and "Florida" themed.  You can see the gift bags on each of the chairs.  James and I sat with 3 couples we did not know, but had a great time!

Getting my "hair did".  It turned out better than I thought.  You would never have known I had about 20 pins in my hair.  No picture of getting my make up done..

View from the hotel room where were getting ready....even though it was cool outside, it really did look pretty!

A picture of the chandelier in the ballroom.  I snapped this while we were checking out the set up.  If you look closely you can see me in the middle (I took the picture from under the light looking up).

The bride's dress.  (I would post pics of the bride - she looked amazing- but not sure she wants that).  The dress is Vera Wang.  The bow strap and belt with broach are custom.  The bride's gift from the groom was a pair of earrings that matched the broach - beautiful.

Another picture from the ballroom set up.  This was a lounge area that was set up next to the dance floor.

After the ceremony during the cocktail hour.  This isn't the best picture of the two of us together, but it gives you an idea of the full view of my dress (it was tight and there were spanx underneath holding it all in).  The ceremony was freezing so the first thing I found after was my wrap.  I don't usually have a "headlight" problem, but I definitely did then.  I tried to hold my flowers up high to cover "them".

Me and the dapper looking gentlemen.  The wedding was black tie and it was very fun to see everyone all dressed up!

James and I before dinner and before our camera battery died.











Overall great wedding.  I am very happy for the bride and groom!!  Can't wait to hang out with them again!!

ETA - Found a full length picture of me in my dress.  I am little embarrassed to share, but here it is anyway!

Lent

The Lenten season is under way here at the Halfway House.  We went to church on Wednesday for our ashes.  I didn't grow up following Lenten practices, but James did, so we do now.  We follow the give up something and start something positive.  Well, starting something positive was easy for me - I am going to floss every night.  (I know my MIL is upset that I just admitted I don't floss regularly, but is probably pleased that I have decided to add it back into my  nightly routine).  The giving up part was hard.  I had already decided to give up alcohol, entirely.  I figured IF I got pregnant, it was a good cover for the next 7 weeks and I probably enjoyed too much over the holidays anyway.  Then hubby surprised me with a trip to Sonoma for Valentine's Day.  I don't know about you, but I don't think I can go out there and not drink. SO....I decided to give up chips and chocolate.  I have been eating too many chips lately.  I have a problem with portion size.  I usually don't buy chips.  But when I do, they only last 2 days.  They sit in the pantry and tempt me.  I try to be good by pouring a few in a plastic cup - at least my attempt at portion control.  But I always go back and fill up the cup again, and sometimes again.  So no more chips for the next several weeks. 
Chocolate on the other hand shouldn't be as difficult.  I do enjoy some brownies and an occasional Lindt truffle, but I think I can handle going without.  James thought that was not a wise choice since we will be in Belgium next month.  But hey, I can always bring it back with me and enjoy on Easter, right!  I even considered taking the CH theme a little further and giving up other foods that start with CH...but the first one that came to mind was cheese and the last time I did that was not pleasant!! 
We also follow the no meat Friday rule.  This week we had Tuna for dinner.  I want to do fish tacos one night and fish and chips another.  Just an excuse to eat more fish, which we definitely do not do enough of.

So, there you have it....our Lenten plans....What are yours??

I found them

Yep...I found a pair of skinny jeans that work.  Last night I took my jeans back to the Gap feeling defeated.  But, I did not want to feel defeated....I wanted a dang pair of skinny jeans!  So, I went to JCrew to look.  No matter how hard I try, I just can't get JCrew pants to work for me.  The gap at the waist something terrible. (The only exception to this rule are the cords).  I passed Banana Republic on my way out.  Knowing I had a coupon, I thought, sure I'll go in there.  I asked the sales lady (Pandora at Northpoint - SHE IS AWESOME) if they carried short lengths in the store.  Of course not (this particular store does not carry petites either, I have to drive to Lenox for that.)  So I looked at some sweaters.  Pandora gave me a really cute sweater to try on and I loved it.  BUT....it would look great with skinny jeans and I didn't have any.  Being the great sales rep that she is, Pandora said, Hold On, I think I have something that might work.  And what do you know....THEY WORKED.  I came home from the mall with skinny jeans.  AND they don't need to be altered.  They scrunch a little at the bottom with flats, but I think that is okay.  (They are a little tight, but I'm told they will stretch!)  So, check them out, they are the ultimate skinny dark wash ankle....YEA!!!  I was so excited!!!  (bet you can't tell with all the caps and exclamation points)  And I'm loving the sweater too - but can't post a picture because I don't see it online!

Five Dollar....

(nope not footlong) Tanks and Tees at Old Navy.

 

(image from www.oldnavy.com)

I had some jeans to return last night and had also gotten 2 tshirts from ON that needed to go back.  Well imagine my surprise when I walked in....They are having their Fundamentals Sale.  So, those tee and tanks that I love (because if you're like me you wear the heck out of them in a season) were on sale....for $5 each.  That is a HOT DEAL if you ask me.  So I got a couple tanks (pink, orange, white) and a white tshirt, can never have too many of those.  Also their flipflops were 2 for $5.  $2.50 for a pair of flipflops...sign me up.  I brought home silver and gold!  LOVE IT!  So run, don't walk, to your local Old Navy this weekend and get you some Tanks, Tshirts and Flops!!

(Other stuff is on sale too, I just didn't get anything else)

Gap Jeans

After reading about all the success you ladies of the interwebs have had with Gap jeans, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon.  I may have mentioned before that I am short, as in about a 28.5 ish inseam.  So, I ordered 3 pair of the Real Straight fit.  A short and 2 petite sizes.  And one fit...In fact it looked great.  That is until I turned around and noticed the fading of the denim.  Well, it stopped just under my not very small arse and accentuated it.  Let me just say....IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE ACCENTUATED.  So, all three pairs of jeans are going back.  And unfortunately I am jumping OFF the Gap jean bandwagon.  Any suggestions of other brands or fits are welcome.

(NOTE - I have already tried AnnTaylor Loft.  They gap at the waist.  Might be the small waist - larger arse combination I have going on.)

Follow Up to Yesterday

I really hope that I did not offend any of the pregnant or mommy bloggers out there.  I LOVE reading your blogs and in no way meant any harm.  I'm truly happy for you and enjoy reading about this wonderful time in your lives!  Just praying I get there soon!!!

Why is it that

I am drawn to blogs by pregnant ladies or those who just had babies.  This seems entirely contrary to what I would think.  Here I am trying to get knocked up and I just want to read about others who are.  I don't think it is envious, because I know we'll get there (yes, I know, it will happen when its supposed to happen, etc).  Maybe its to gather a ton of information so when I do get pregnant, I'll have a wealth of knowledge...not sure I believe that logic...I will probably lose my mind. 

As an update on the trying part.  I have visited my doctor and they are running some tests.  In the mean time, we're doing what we can to get there.

Also, it is amazing to know how many couples have gone through what we are going through.  And talking to them has made me feel so much better.  It seems that all of my closest friends are pregnant or not trying, so being able to talk about this with these other women has been helpful.  However, it seems the "magic" time frame is about 2 1/2 years or at least that is how long it has taken some of the woman I have talked to.  Hopefully it doesn't take us that long.  But being able to talk to them has put my mind at ease.  And I know on a hard day, I have someone to talk to.  And that definitely helps.

Thanks for listening (or reading, which is really what you're doing).

(I tend to not put much about this on here.  We are not planning to share the news when it happens for at least the first 10-12 weeks.  I try not to give you too much information that would lead to timing estimates....Not sure I could lie if asked directly)

Random Thoughts

• Going to Florida this weekend for my friend's wedding.  Had hoped for beautiful weather given all the rainy cold weather we have had in ATL.  My last check of www.weather.com leads me to believe I may be left a bit disappointed.
• Hubby surprised me with an early Valentine's day gift - we are going on a romantic trip together - to the Russian River Valley out in CA.  Our favorite wines are from there.  It should be a fantastic trip.
• Booked my work trip to the Netherlands.  We'll be going a bit early and leaving a bit late to stay and spend time with friends in Brussels.
• Delta Gamma volunteer stuff is ramping up with at least 1 trip coming up (a weekend of course).
• Given all these trips, the next weekend I will be in town is March 27-28 unless I skip my friend's baby shower the weekend of March 20-21.
• Had a small Super Bowl party this weekend.  Was very fun, though I saw little of the game or commercials. 
• Yesterday was a crazy Monday.  A couple times throughout the day you would have thought I lost my mind...I was forgetting things and just plain out of it.
• Did I mention that Hubby and I are going on a romantic trip together, just the 2 of us.  The last trip we took "just the 2 of us" was Milan back in Oct 2007....um, that's over 2 years ago.  I am SO excited for this trip!! If you've been to the RRV and have any suggestions, please let me know.
• Enough for now.  I have a work meeting and am hoping to run at lunch....Have to fit into a very tight dress on Saturday and snacking at the above mentioned Super Bowl party was at a high....yikes!

Dress Update

Ladies - thank you so much for the comments on the post below.  I went to Nordstrom and tried on the coral dress, but like Sara said, it looks like something I would wear...however, it did not fit.  I tried to find something else, but just did not see anything that grabbed me.  (In the mean time I had talked to my friend to see what "tropical chic" meant.  Basically they are going for a Florida themed party and don't want people wearing black....makes sense.)  After leaving Nordstrom defeated on the dress hunt (but I did successfully get a Spanx undergarment that will work with the dress for the actual wedding - don't even get me started how many pair I had to try on because its a short dress and the mid thigh length ones can be seen but the underwear ones don't cover my problem area - , a pair of HankyPanky underwear because you all swear by them, and a new pair of sunglasses....I'll devote another post to that once I have a picture in them and can share my struggle with that hunt), I went to JCrew and Banana Republic...nothing bright enough to fulfill what I wanted for this party.  You know, something turquoise or coral or even a pretty green.  Nope all pastels and other colors....just not what I had in mind.  I even looked at BCBG, but the one I did like was $350...a little more than I hoped to spend considering the dress for the wedding is $200.  Thankfully my friend was cleaning her closet of dresses that don't fit anymore and gave me a perfect dress for the occasion.  It is striped in shades of pink with a little gold and slatey silver (if that's a color).  Its a bit long, but I have been given the go ahead to do whatever I need to the dress to make it work.  I think I may even have them criss cross the straps to add a little flare.  So that problem is solved.....now I just have to go out to drop off the dresses to be altered, TODAY, so they are ready to be picked up on Wednesday since a week from today I will be landing in Fort Lauderdale...HOPING FOR GOOD WEATHER!!!

Thanks for the help - even though none of those dresses worked out.  I promise pictures when we get back!

Help...

So I got the invitation today for my friend's rehearsal dinner.  It is next Friday in Fort Lauderdale.  The dress code is Tropical Chic....What does this mean???
Can I get away with something like this (as this is more my style)

 

( you can go here to see it better)

Or does it mean something more like this

( you can go here for a better picture)

Or something like this (considering it will get to the 50s at night)

(go here to see it)

Or this?  (Now consider I am not usually a Lilly P type person)

Thoughts?  I think I could wear all again for something else, so anything goes....Or if you have any other suggestions...please send me links!  I am open for anything.  (Keep in mind I am fairly petite - read short)

(First 3 pictures from www.nordstrom.com and I am not sure why I could not get the bigger pictures from the site.....so bless you if you go over and check them out.   The last one is from www.lillypulitzer.com)