Thursday Thoughts...

I have been in a blogging rut lately... and thought I'd share some recent thoughts...

~ I made dinner all four weeknights this week - for me that is Monday - Thursday and lets just say that rarely... if ever happens. So I have already told my husband tomorrow night we are going out and I plan on ordering my favorite salad - even though I think it is overpriced.  Its chopped romaine lettuce, gorgonzola cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts, grilled chicken, and a honey balsamic dressing. So far this week I made homemade pizzas, a whole chicken in the crock pot - easiest dinner ever, chicken tacos in the crock pot, and organic Italian chicken sausage with onions and peppers.  Nothing fancy... but I am tooting my own horn for cooking... especially tonight when I didn't want to and my husband threw the Chinese take out menu out on the counter.

~ Madison is loving cheer leading.  Every time I turn around she is doing a cheer.  Tonight I went to pick her up and she was standing there... in the middle of the practice field... tons of people around... just in a sports bra.  Let me tell you... I should have gotten my pajama clad self out of the car right then and there and yanked her up.  Apparently she needed a reminder this evening not to get undressed at cheer practice.  She "says" her shirt got wet... Umm... sure.

~ The week before last Georgetown Cupcakes was offering 40% off.  I have always wanted to try them - so I ordered a dozen.  They arrived a little bit mangled... and I have yet to hear back from the email I sent them regarding this which is a bit annoying... but even mangled they were some of the best cupcakes I have ever tasted.  I think the key lime was my favorite.

~ I am loving the new show The New Normal.  I hear some people are all up in arms about it because is portrays a gay couple in a positive way, but I thought it was hysterical and I plan on watching the rest of the season.  I am also hooked on Abby & Brittany the show about the now 22 year old conjoined twins - the other week when they graduated from college - I sobbed because I thought it was so wonderful that they lead such a normal and happy life.

Insta-Friday

 

I have a bunch of random Instagram photos to share this week.  I am linking up with Life Rearranged today -

 

 

 

Doing homework at the table after the first day of school

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate peanut butter cream frosting and mini Reese's peanut butter cups. 

Cakes in jars to send to Amy and Scotty - my first wedding clients to celebrate their anniversay.. a month late.  I will say they moved and we were on vacation.  Amy texted me to say they arrived today... slightly melted frosting once they arrived in Arkansas... but tasty she said.

Well I had ordered labels for the jars... but they are MIA - so a little scrapbook paper jazzed them up a bit.

A big fresh salad I made for my husband this week for dinner.

I had to share this again - Madison's first day of 8th grade!!

The Friday before school started Maddie and I went for fro-yo.

Me in the car on the way to Ikea last weekend.

Maddie and Chris testing out some chairs at Ikea.

Madison in another new shirt from Hollister... she in fact wore this outfit today to school.

Chris and Maddie being silly at Trader Joe's.

SO WHAT Wednesday!

 

 

SO WHAT if... Madison didn't want me walking her to the bus stop today.  I can watch her from the front door walk to the stop and wait there for the bus.  But my mom fail today was when the two other moms in the neighborhood did walk their kids to the bus.

 

SO WHAT if... I am making cupcakes in a jar this morning to send to my first ever wedding clients to enjoy in their new home - and haven't eaten breakfast... because my breakfast will be sampling one cupcake.

 

SO WHAT if... I meal planned for the week... I am working a 12-8 shift tonight... Madison asked for Little Cesar's for dinner and Little Cesar's it will be.

 

SO WHAT if...  yesterday I literally had to force myself to drink my green monster smoothie for lunch - it somehow got really thick and I wanted to vomit.

 

SO WHAT if... I watch way more reality TV than I read.  I cannot wait to watch last night's teen mom on the DVR.

 

SO WHAT if... I spent a lot of time on a custom order for someone through my etsy shop... I made several changes she asked for... only for her to not have purchased the listing.  Lesson learned... charge upfront for custom listings.

 

 

The 1st Day of 8th Grade

Today was Madison's first day of 8th grade.

 

She wore an outfit she chose herself.  Dress (Hollister on clearance... she begged for it and it ended up being less than $12) and sweater and flip flops (Old Navy).

 

She wasn't too amused by the chalkboard sign I made her stand by... but I sure did love it.

 

She came home all smiles...had a great day... but was starving and promptly ate a grilled cheese, banana, and carrots and dip. 

 

Now she is at cheerleading practice.

 

I cannot believe next year she will be going to high school.

 

 

Miscellany Monday - Back to School Edition

 

(1) Madison starts 8th grade tomorrow... my oh my... where did the time go?  I am not one of those moms who longs for back to school, although I am happy to be back on more of a schedule and to focus on work during the day instead of making sure Madison is entertained.  So while I am excited for her to start a new year of school... I also love having her at home.  I took the day off of work today so we could spend the day together.  We ran by her school to get a few items from the book store we needed, went out to lunch, and went grocery shopping.  

 

(2) My husband and I have been having lots of hard discussions about our life, our marriage, and our future.  We are trying to focus more on improving things we have let fall to the wayside.  Last night we ended a great weekend with a dinner date out - we had drinks - great seafood and good conversation.  It was much needed and enjoyed.

(3) Maddie is cheering for the first time ever and loving it.  She is just cheering for the local league.  The other weekend they had photos scheduled.  We got up and ready only to find out when we arrived they had been cancelled.  I love this photo I took of her.

 

 (4) I have been trying like crazy to cook more at home.  Today I made these green monster smoothies for my husband before he went to the gym.  Last week I made this roast - but I wasn't a fan.   We made soft pretzels again - always a hit.  Last week I also made carne asada tacos, a lighter version of chicken parmigiana, and homemade pizzas.
 

 

Insta - Friday {Beach Edition}

One of our stops on the way to vacation was at our favorite hair salons for hair cuts for both Madison and I.  This was taken at Target after our hair cuts.



While in Virginia Beach during our trip I managed to drink several Sonic diet cherry cokes and ice waters - they don't have Sonic in RI and I miss their drinks!

A fun photo of a chair one afternoon when Chris and I snuck away for lunch and shopping.

Our beach house had a golf cart and Maddie loved driving it.

Cousins enjoying a bowl of Lucky Charms at the beach house.

Dinosaur putt putt golf one night after dinner. 

Breakfast - a diet coke and a peanut butter donut from Duck Donuts.

Breakfast another morning - from Coastal Cravings in Duck which is soon to be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  This was a breakfast sandwich with smoked ham, a fried egg, cheese, a crabcake, and remoulade sauce - amazing.  They also had creme brulee muffins which were pretty tasty too.

I am linking up for Insta - Friday@

SO WHAT Wednesday!

    SO WHAT... if I declined the promotion I was offered at work. I wanted it, but they were not offering me enough money.  I counter offered and they refused to budge.  Now I will wait and see who they will get to do the job... or if they will offer me more money.   SO WHAT... if I spent too much money at the mall today.  Madison and I had a great day shopping and going out to lunch.  It was a much needed girls day out.   SO WHAT... if I meal planned and grocery shopped for the week... but tonight Maddie has cheer practice and cheer uniform pick up and I know we are going to end up eating out... oh well.   SO WHAT... if I am STILL not pregnant. Some days it feels like I am going to be 40 (which is 6 years from now) before we have a baby... and that is just going to have to be okay.   Becuase the alternative... not having a baby is just not okay.   SO WHAT if... I am thrilled that a certain moocher relative moved away. It was nice to enjoy a meal out with family this weekend and not have to pick up the tab for someone who feels entitled and cannot even say "thank you".   SO WHAT if... school starts in less than two weeks and Madison still has not even come close to finishing her summer work.  I have to get her to finish asap.

Our Family Beach Trip to Duck, NC

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite photos from our trip to Duck, NC.  There are ton more - I compiled all of the photos into a Shutterfly album to send to my parents as a thank you.  They have no idea and it should be arriving soon.

Madison getting ready to drive the go karts.

Uncle Chris and Owen getting ready to drive the go karts.

Maddie and Owen about to do the bumper cars.

My sweet nephew, Owen.

Owen

Getting ready to do the bungee trampoline.

Owen loved the bungee trampoline.  He jumped very high and did all sorts of flips.

The best photo I could get of all three grandkids.  I had this made into a 16x20 canvas which should be on the way to my parents' house a special surprise thank you for our week at the beach.



My sister, Keri and niece, Olivia.

Ny nephew, Owen

Our backyard pool... where we spent most of our time.

Owen on the beach.

The group of kids (the other 3 kids are the grandchildren of my parents' best friends).

Chris and I.

Chris and Maddie... being silly.

DUCK, NC

Miscellany Monday

1. I haven't blogged in what seems like forever.  We had an amazing vacation - trip to Virginia Beach, VA and Duck, NC and I hope to blog about that this week and to share some great pictures from our trip.

2. I also haven't baked in forever.  I have a Pina Colada (no alcohol) cake in the oven now and I hope to share that recipe later today or this week.  It it so good.

3. Am I the only one that feels the grocery store prices are crazy?  It seems since our vacation I cannot get our weekly groceries under $100.  I spent $160 this week and last week.  Things are just so expensive.

4.  I was promised a new position at work.  When my job offer arrived - it wasn't the job title or the pay I was expecting.  Also the job responsibilities are very close to the ones of the position I was promised.  So I am in "negotiations" to get at least the pay I want and hopefully the position/title as well.  I feel confident we can come to an agreement - if not I am fine with keeping my current position/pay and am willing to decline the offer.

Insta-Friday - Blogging from the car version

We are currently in New Jersey on our way to Virginia Beach for a night. We are all looking forward to catching up with friends we left behind when we moved exactly a year ago. I'm also looking forward to a hair appointment tomorrow morning with my favorite hairdresser. We've been in Rhode Island for a year and it's been that long since I've had a haircut. On Saturday we will continue on to Duck, NC for a week at the beach with a group of 21! My parents and their best friends rented a beach house. Together there are 6 adult children, 4 spouses, and 7 grandchildren ages 13 months - 12 years. It should be a fun and crazy week.

Here are some of my Instagrams from the week- minus captions for now since I'm car blogging.