Lost Generation- what does your actions say about you???

Does this video just give you goosebumps are what!! What a great reminder as a parent that we are passing our values on to our children. What are your kids learning from your actions??? Yes, that one made me stop and think, evaluate. Hope it does the same for you!

Things we just LOVE in the south!

Well it does not take long driving through the South to see what us Southerners just love!! (I do admit I am from Oklahoma on some maps we are on the cusps of the south, and some they just plain leave us off - however I feel that being Southern is a condition of the heart and this Okie counts herself as being Southern and proud of it!!!) I had to giggle as we did the long drive through 7 (yes I do believe I counted 7 states to get to Florida) That what we love we are proud of! The 1st. spot goes to SWEET TEA!! We even advertise it on the sign boards outside of restaurants We are proud of our Sweet Tea and no not every pitcher of tea is created a like.

2. We love our God. There is a church of varying denominations almost on every corner, and even one in the tiniest of towns where there is not even a stop light!

3. We also love Fireworks! Goodness I passed more firework stands than I could count! I guess our little boys don't grow up as much as we think, but to be fair, I guess that shows you we love the sparkle too!





4. We love our BBQ- cheap, fancy, quick, and slow - You can count almost ever town will have at least one BBQ place to eat at.


Those are the things about every Southern State can agree on - now after that We all love football, but on that subject our teams are usually dictated by what state we live in. I hope you all have a good day!

Freaky Friday!

Let's pretend mommies and daddies switched places for a day or two. How do you think everyone would fare in their new position? Would it go well? Would it be a disaster?

Well if that was to really happen this is what would happen in our home...

First I would wake up early, grab a cup of coffee, and sneak out of the house quietly(and did I mention I would be very grumpy and probably running late - i am not a morning person!) to arrive to work at the bank. Where I would talk, and visit with everyone in the building, trying to get out of actually working because Math is not my skill set. I would however visit with all the customers that came in, and listen to any one's stories of their grand kid. , I would not be able to explain %'s, SBA procedures, spread sheets etc... So the long term security of keeping the job would not bright. (disclaimer: I am a very hard worker, but math is so not my skill set!!!) I would however love eating out for lunch, and skipping the peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I usually have at home.

My hubby would get up fairly early and start getting things around. He would have a very systematic approach the daily task of running a house. (laundry, dishes etc..) However since summer is running full steam ahead. He probably would not encourage the kids in the neighborhood to come over and play, I know he would not even think about working with the girls on school skills for 30 Min's a day. Nor would he even think about working on manners, or etiquette. It just would not occur to him to work that into the daily schedules. My hubby laughs at the things I think about to schedule and plan out for the weekends. Other than a sporting event he probably would not think to plan anything. There would never be a sewing machine left out on the dining room table. Gracie would have very crooked pig tails!

However I do have to brag my hubby would make a great dinner at night! (He is a fab cook!) I would probably get a kick, out of hearing him be a little stressed out from no privacy -( the other day I even had a daughter come into the bathroom to visit with me while I was shaving my leg - sometimes I have no privacy!) I however can see the benefit of a 15 min drive home that could allow me to unwind, and have some "me" time before walking into the door from work. I think we are both well suited for the job we have though we both could see the pro's of each others job I think we are very happy where we are!

4 things every lady needs...What I am short 3!!!!

Rita Wilson (isn't she just one of those woman who is classically beautiful, and gets better each year!!! Have you seen her in the movie "It's Complicated") Well she was on Oprah last week and was doing a "redo" or "makeover" on ladies basically 40 and older. On the show she gave a list of 4 things every woman at any age should have in her closet.... Yep! A horrible fear came over me as I realized that I was not as cool as I thought I was (I ignore my kids opinions of my wardrobe, pre teens so don't count!) but I was missing all the key elements but 1!!! (did I say all of them but 1!!!)

Well 4 essential key elements for any wardrobe was:

1) a black legging or a black jean

2)a black boot or a black shoe boot (this is the only item that I have, and it does have a heel - just becaue it makes me feel sexy and for no other reason than that!)

3) a jacket (I think she means the windbreaker that I wear to my daughter's soccer games)

4) a scarf (I think she means something pretty to wear through the day into evening, not a warm fuzzy thing to protect your face from the cold wind)

Well let me tell you I am adding those essentials to my shopping list for the fall because I want to be rocking it!!

What is on your must have/add to your wardrobe list???

(I do believe a great pair of flip flops/sandals are a must for summer as well!)

Do you think a basic essential is missing?

Housework is art???

"Good housekeeping is part of the art of living" Albert Hadley
Take a moment and think about that statement. I know I have! I was reading the other day and came across the above quote and it stopped me in my tracks!

Is housekeeping or housework part of the art of living?
Well Webster's defines art as being: 1) : fine arts (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art 5 a archaic : a skillful plan b : the quality or state of being artful 6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

Well if Art can be defined (definition 5) as a skillful plan, let's rethink the above quote: substituting the definition for the word Art. "Good housekeeping is part of the skillful plan of living" if that is true, what is your skillful plan for living?
How is the quality of your life? How do you live? Do you live well? Do you treat you and your family with the luxuries of a clean house, fluffy towels, good food?

I know my housework can quickly overtake me (especially during the summer time!) if I am not paying attention, and have a plan! However without me paying attention my kitchen could quickly end up looking like this:


The above is definitely not my definition of living well!!

The book "How to be a Perfect Housewife" by Anthea Turner states: "Your home should be somewhere you look forward to spending time. It should be a haven from the stresses of the world. You should be proud to have your friends round for dinner and they should leave impressed by your comfortable, clean, homely home."

I really enjoy reading books like the ones above on the skill or art of being a housewife or instructive books or websites like the Fly lady's . I do believe one can always learn a better, easier way to clean, cook, etc.. I find that attitude determines the quality of the work more than anything. By reading books on the subject, it helps my attitude! It reminds me this stuff I do blesses my family, makes my home a haven for me and my family. A place that I can throw open the door and bless other people by inviting them in to be. Also it reminds me of the value of cleaning, cooking, it really does take skill to do it well!! It's the difference between serving your family a frozen pizza, or serving them pasta with pancetta. Both meals would fill their belly but one meal might be better enjoyed.

The Fly lady ask on her website : "Are YOU living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) like Franny in the pink sweats? Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn? Hopeless and you don't know where to start?"

Well I do not know about you but her description of living in CHAOS does not sound like she is describing living well. Her website encourages woman to have a skillful plan on turning their life around. I encourage you if you do not have a plan to look at the Fly lady's website, or one of her books or Anthea Turner's book. They will make you laugh, might make you feel a little guilty (I know from experience!), and encourage you!

Dolly Parton has a great song for anyone who needs a kick in the pants called "Better get to living" the following is an excerpt

" Your life’s a wreck your house is a mess,
And your wardrobe is way outdated,
All your plans just keep on falling through,
Overweight and underpaid,
Under appreciated,
Am no guru but I tell you this I know is true

Chorus:
You’d better get to living, givin’
A little more thought about been a little more willing,
To make a better way (make a better Way)
Don’t sweat the small stuff, keep your chin up,
Just hang tough, and If it get too rough,
Fall on your knees and pray, and do that everyday
Then you’ll get to livin" "

Now doesn't Dolly just say it all!

What is your plan for living well?
Do you think housekeeping is an art form?

Have we met?

The night I met Brent I was at a New Year's Eve Party. I was introduced to him as my girlfriend and me went to get a drink. Brent was getting a drink at the same time and he introduced himself.. Brent and I struck up a conversation as to how he knew my friends' boyfriend, (who was hosting the party) Brent told me that they were friend from High School. It ended up that both Brent and I had attended the same school, (but I was um.. 2 years older than him) but we had not ever met. (timing is so important in matters of the heart!) during the course of the conversation he mentioned that he was a twin, but his twin had not yet arrived at the party. Well I got my drink and moved along visiting with others, and mingling.
Over the course of the evening I bumped into Brent a time or two. At each time I would ask "Have we met? or are you the other twin?" not wanting to look foolish and start talking to a complete stranger. Well one of times we were talking Brent's twin Brett (yes, the names are so close it can be crazy to keep straight at times!!) came in to the party - Brent pointed him out as he hollered at him to come over. I was shocked as he pointed out his twin I thought they looked nothing alike!! I told him so - which prompted Brent to die laughing and holler out at Brett to come meet the girl he was going to marry. Brett asked why he was going to marry me, Brent died laughing and said that I could tell them apart. Which everyone died laughing who had heard.
As the evening continued we both flirted with each other, and talked. I remember thinking that this guy has the bluest eyes! Also that he was a really nice guy, he listened to me, and he had me laughing every time he opened his mouth. Brent was so funny I really enjoyed spending time with him. I even kissed him that night (shocking!) but it was New Year's Eve! So the theme song "A kiss to build a dream on" by Louis Armstrong has become a theme song for our lives.
Leave me one thing be-fore we part,a kiss to build a dream on___________________
When I'm a-lone___ with my fan-cies, I'll____be with you,
Weav - ing ro-man-ces, mak-ing be-lieve they're true.

Give me your lips for just a mo-mentand my im-ag-i-na-tion will make that mo-ment live.
Give me what you a-lone can give,a kiss to build a dream on.
lyrics from the song "A kiss to build a dream on"
Well a few days later, we went on our first date -a triple date. Go figure! I wanted my best friend at the time, and her boyfriend (who had hosted the party) to double date with us, and Brent wanted Brett and at the time his girlfriend Jennifer (who later became Mrs. Brett Barnes) to go on the a double date with us as well to help check me out. So what to do - we all went! We went and saw the movie "Body guard" with Whitney Houstin and Kevin Costner.

Well Brett reminded everyone during the toast he said to Brent and I at our rehearsal dinner that Brent had told everyone the night we met that I was the girl he was going to marry and here we are! Married for 15 years, and 3 kids later. Yes, I am so glad that I asked "have we met?"!

Perfect Pairing

"³ For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants. "
Isaiah 44:3

How are you living?

I am reviewing the book "Bringing Tuscany Home" by Frances Mayes. I will be honest when I ordered this book I thought I was going to be receiving a "decorating book" , well I was in for a surprise because this was not the case. However I was delightfully surprised as I turned the pages to this beautiful book!

The pictures in this book, are breathtaking and could easily make this a book to grace your coffee table. Although the written words the description of living in Italy describes a love affair, that quickly makes you turn your eye towards your home and makes you question: How am I living? What do I choose to surround myself with each day? What could I do to bring some simple pleasures into my life? The author discusses how living in Italy has changed her life, routine, and her choices in life.

In one part of the book the author inspires you to look around your room and see what you have chosen to decorate and fill your room. Frances Mayes says "I liked learning that the Italian word for room is Stanza. As a poet, this appealed to me as I looked at Bramasole's walls, blank as pieces of paper." This is just a peek into this very enjoyable book filled with insights of living in Italy. The book is also filled with recipes for some wonderful Italian food. (roasted tomatoes, pasta with pancetta,potato gnocchi to just name a few)

If you need a mini vacation and can not get away, or feel that your life is in a rut I would encourage you to pick up this book and curl up in a comfortable chair and fly away to Tuscany with the author. Walk the gardens, smell the flowers, and the herb gardens, run your hand over the plaster walls of the house, and smell dinner cooking from the kitchen. This book is a wonderful get a way that I think anyone would enjoy! Who knows you may return home, and decide to bring some Tuscany back to your home as well!

What I have learned from watching the Real Houswives of New Jersey

I have learned a lot from watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey!

1. Mom's we all love our babies!

2. Parenting is hard!!!

3. Parenting does not stop when your baby turns 18.

4. as my momma always says "odd #'s of girls never play well together!".

5. Not everyone is going to see life the same way, or a situation the same way!

6. How we view life and the choices we make are based on our past, our beliefs, and the current support system we have around us right now.

7. The power of accessories,accessories, accessories!! Have you seen all those wonderful necklaces these ladies are wearing!!!! and don't even get me started on their beautiful earrings!

8. The choices we make on how we live our lives do impact our children!

9. You do have to be careful who you invite into your home, and lives of your love ones.

10. Did I mention that they have great necklaces that pull their look completely together!! Necklaces are my new Fave piece of jewelry!!


What is your favorite piece of jewelry??

What do you love about watching the "Real housewives series" or do you have a favorite one? (New Jersey, New York, Orange County, Atlanta????)


If you have not caught the series it comes on Monday nights at 10/9c on Bravo!!

Been on vacation- life is good today

Well I have been to the beach this past week. I sat on the beach with my honey and watched the waves come in, and kids giggle and try to boogie board. It was so much fun!! I got to escape the land of laundry, cooking, and the rush of getting everyone someplace! How relaxing.

What I did not know was that I was going to be without Internet access-AHHH!!! Yes, that almost put me over the edge and yes, the condo was advertised with having Internet access. So sorry if I knew I would have been out of pocket this long I would have had some guest bloggers!!