tickled pink~

"tickled pink": to be delighted. this is one of my favorite phrases, along with "in the pink" which means "a state of well being and healthy"...what is it about pink that can brighten up my day in an instant? i have not a clue, but these pictures below sure do it for me! enjoy! happy monday girls!

love the hat and glasses!

i would totally wear this!

and this, well, this is just total eye candy!

and this is lovely.

i would totally be friends with her. ;)

LOVE.

DOUBLE LOVE.

this just makes me happy.

and this, well, i just love audrey hepburn. classic.

so cute.

i thought this was super cute. dr. suess-ish.

strawberry soup, a staple in our house during the hotness of summer~

you'll have to forgive the tiny picture, i took this off another page of mine because it seems that i deleted the file that it was originally in, but~

if you've never tried strawberry soup, you've been missing out! it's a staple in our house pretty much year round, but we make it a whole lot more during the summer months.

alrighty, here's whatcha do:

in a blender:

1 pkg FROZEN strawberries

1C half & half

1C sour cream

1/2C sugar

puree, pour into bowls and enjoy with a dollop of cool whip on top, or store in fridge till your ready! FYI~ i usually double the recipe and it's gone in no time!

moody wednesday...and a few randoms...

so today i'm a little on edge. the last week has been crazy busy, and it's looking like it's only going to get crazier.




i feel edgy by gigi24 featuring Prada sunglasses



now, for the randoms...

1. i had a fabulous time in ok city with ondi. the 3 days flew by, but they were filled with fond memories, belly laughs and fun new memories that we made. funny how there's only a few people in the whole wide world that you can see once every 13 years and it's like you've never been apart. ondrea is one of my *few*.

2. sis priss's ballet recital went well. although i'm thinking it'll be our last year with this particular company. we are planning on starting her at a different acadamy this fall.

3. dear old friend of mine had her bridal shower this past saturday. i'm so happy for her! she's finally found the *perfect* guy for her. truly. don't you love when you see your friends end up with someone you know is the *right one* for them???

the *rant*
4. so i was at walmart yesterday (i'm soooo not a big fan of walmart anyway, but i was in a hurry and it was the closest market) moving on...

when i worked in customer service, it was always taught that the customer is 1) always right 2) should leave happy. i have to say though in the past several years, i've seen customer service go down the tubes. in a serious way. like they could care less if you shopped there or not. the only places i've not seen a decrease in customer service (from here on out, customer service will be refered to as c.s.) is in your higher end stores. this bothers me. a lot.

so, i was at walmart, in the checkout line, and when it was my turn i wasn't even greeted. now, some might say that i'm being nit picky, ( but hubby and i own a company, and if any of our employees refused to greet a customer, or were rude to one, we wouldn't stand for it) and normally i would willingly dismiss this and say "hello" first if the following hadn't of gone on: 1* she moved as slow as mollassas, pausing frequently to let out huge *sighs* of despair. 2* she refused to load my cart.
**it seems that since walmart has gone to the turning bagging stations, that their cashiers have gotten lazy, and feel like it's the customers responsibility to load their own cart.**

(now mind you before you think i'm a snob, i don't mind helping in the least if the cashier is friendly, and starts loading my cart straightway. i really don't mind. i'm not lazy. but. i do have a problem with those that look at you like "get to work because the roundabout is filling up".) last time i checked, in my "job description" as a customer, it was not listed that i am to bag & load my own grocieries. in fact, i'm pretty darn sure that it's still written in the description of the cashier. have you ever been to a supermarket where you had to bag and load your own groceries? i haven't!

anyway~ she started piling my groceries on the floor. seriously! then, from her register, she lifted up my paper towels and toilet paper and threw them into my cart on the other side of the roundabout. she then told me the total, i handed her the money, and she looked at me challegingly (if that's not a word, i just made it one) and said, "thank you, have a nice day." no smile, but the challenge now of basically telling me to hurry up and load my own cart so that she could tend to the next in line. so, me, and my stubborn way, just smiled sweetly, and said "thank you so much, you have a good day as well" and stood there, feet firmly planted. i didn't move an inch. just kept looking at her smiling. if she really thought she was going to win this one, she was sorely mistaken. i'm one of the most stubborn people i know when it comes to certain things. and this royally ticked me off. (perhaps it's the pms, or the massive amount of stuff we have going on in our lives at the moment) she huffed, turned around and slammed my bags into my cart. not placed. slammed. she crushed all my bread, croissants, all my boxed lunch items for the kids. then. and this is the kicker. she threw my EGGS in the front of the cart on their side. i looked down, not believing what i just saw. { mind you, i had been extremely nice up until this point}

i looked up and said "those are my eggs" this time my tone matched hers. she looked at me with her eyebrows raised and without moving any facial feature she replied "i know their your eggs". and turned to get the last of my bags. i took the eggs out, which had to be replaced, grabbed the last bag from her, and demanded that she call her manager. NOW. she looked smugly at me, shrugged her shoulders and said "fine". the women in line behind me were in shock at what had just taken place. the cashier had just thrown an adult sized temper tantrum with my groceries. the manager came, and i led him off to the side. i unloaded my cart while telling him the story, and he was shocked and extremely apologetic. the ladies behind me backed me up. after all was said and done, all of my bread, croissants and eggs had to be replaced. while the manager was tending to that, the cashier walked off the job. yeah. so today, there is now a 55-ish year old lady looking for work in the branson area. just beware employers, she has a very bad temper...

now for the sad news...
5. we are headed up to iowa. (i don't know when exactly we will go, or if it'll just be *j*)
*j's* grandfather was given 1-5 days to live. that was yesterday. this man was one of the best men i've known. he cares for his family deeply, and has taken me in wholeheartedly as one of his own. as you can imagine, *j* is troubled by all of this. so please keep us in your prayers.

i'm baaack!

funny how much you miss blogging when you're away...;) i had the most wonderful time with ondi, (shocker, i know) ;) we got back late last night and i have so, so, so much to do before sis priss's ballet recital tomorrow, so for now here's a glimpse of ondi and i doing what we do best...laughing at one another.

hope ya'll are well, i'm ready to get back into the "swing" of things!

i feel spunky with an extra side of sass.

today i feel a bit spunky. well, a LOT spunky. i need to watch my attitude and make sure the filter between my brain and my mouth is ON and set on high alert because on days like this, i can blurt out some real doozies. we have so much to do today...i'm hoping to get it all done. next monday we leave to visit my bff who just moved from australia {and is in oklahoma city for a couple weeks} then is on her way to the american embassy in south africa where she and her husband will live for the next 4 years. i'm BEYOND excited to get to see her, since this is the FIRST time in 9 years that we've been able to meet up! {we were both pregnant with our first child when her hubby landed a fantastic job that took them away. anyway, i can't wait to see her face in person, and for our kids to {finally} get to play together!! happy wednesday girls!

moody wednesday by gigi24 featuring Converse shoes

country bumpkin fun~

so this past weekend was *j*'s 32nd birthday. we filled the weekend full of bbq's, fun and fishing. the kids had a blast, and caught quite a lot of sunfish and even a few small mouth bass. j and i went after walleye, and caught quite a few...although i'll go ahead and just make it known that i caught the biggest of the weekend. a beautiful (well, as "beautiful" as they get) walleye at 20 inches long. anyway, we had a great time and i *almost* worked up the nerve to actually TOUCH the fish. maybe next time. it's the whole slime factor. i just can't shut my brain off when it starts thinking about it. happy monday girls!

my lake bag. filled with everything i need for a *few* (like 4) hours on the water. plenty of mags (lucky, insyle, people style) a good book (right now it's jennifer weiner's new one) tinted lip balm from bath and body works (love that stuff), evian, sudoku (to keep my brain healthy) my art journal (it's hidden in there) snacks and sunscreen (also hidden).

people always make comments about how unrealistic gilligans island was...like why did they pack all that stuff for a three hour tour...well, i'm tellin' ya, it's not THAT unrealistic. i pack like that. always have. poor *j*. he groans anytime we need to pack to go anywhere, knowing he'll be hauling my overpacked suitcase...he doesn't even say anything about it anymore {well, except for the groans}. 11 years of dealing with it, he's finally settled into the fact that i'm not changing. i try to, really i do, i'd love to be like my bff lissa, and pack ultra chic and smart, but i'm more of a "mood dresser" and what if the "3 outfits that i can wear 5 different ways" don't match the mood i'm in on that particular morning? then what? it would throw off my entire day! (mind you, i'm so not a moody person, but i dress differently if i'm feeling spunky than i do when i'm feeling quiet) but if i feel like wearing black that day, and all i brought was browns...well, that would be a problem! is anyone else like that???

moody wednesday

as a way to procrastinate leaving the house even more on dreaded wednesdays, i've decided to start "moody wednesday". colors and items will be based upon what kind of mood i wake up in. today i'm pretty calm which is a nice change of pace since this week started off so stinky thanks to *j* being involved in a really bad wreck...he's okay, but his truck isn't...seems as though loaded down dump trucks can do a lot of damage to even the biggest of dodge duallys...lol. have a great day all!

moody wednesday by gigi24 featuring Fendi sunglasses

a little bit about me...

angela tagged me on her blog, and since i hadn't done one of these on here, i thought it would be fun to give you a glimpse of what makes me tick...here ya go! ;)



1. What is your current obsession?
GARDENING. THIS TIME EVERY YEAR, YOU'LL FIND ME POTTING SOMETHING, TENDING SOMETHING...BOTH IN MY GARDEN AND IN MY FLOWER BEDS.

2. What is your current favorite memory?
CURRENT FAV MEMORY...HMMM. SATURDAY MORNING WITH J. ;)

3. Starbucks or Peet's?
I'LL SAY STARBUCKS SINCE I'VE NEVER HEARD OF PEET'S...

4. What's for dinner?
J'S GRILLING STEAKS AND ASPARAGUS WITH POTATOES...YUM!

5. What would you eat for your last meal?
REFER TO #4 AND ADD LOBSTER, CRAB LEGS, CHEESECAKE, GHIRADELLI BROWNIES, PINEAPPLE, AVOCADO EGGROLLS, ETC...IF IT'S MY LAST MEAL, I'M NOT GONNA WORRY ABOUT EATING TOO MUCH! ;)

6. What's the last thing you bought?
CHOCOLATE MINT AND SAGE HERBS AND FRESH BLUEBERRIES AT STEINARTS NURSERY.

7. Ever dated anyone that turned out to be crazy?
I HAVEN'T BUT MY HUBBY HAS...OH, THE STORIES I COULD TELL...RIDICULOUS.

8. What is your favorite ice-cream flavour?
MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP, BEN AND JERRY'S CHERRY GARCIA & GODIVA CHOCOLATE HEARTS (ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND THAT ONE IN A LOOONG TIME)

9. What do you think of the person who tagged you?
ANGELA!!! SHE IS ADORABLE! LOVE HER SENSE OF SYLE!

10. What was your favorite toy growing up?
CABBAGE PATCH KIDS, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, CARE BEARS...TOTAL 80'S CHILD.

11. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
WHEREVER J IS. ONE HOUR WITH HIM MAKES MY WHOLE DAY BRIGHTER! OF COURSE, IT WOULD BE NICE IF HE HAPPENED TO BE IN FIJI DURING THAT HOUR TOGETHER...;)

12. Which language do you want to learn?
UMMM...I KNOW A BIT OF FRENCH AND A BIT OF SPANISH (THANKS TO MY GRANDMA WHO TALKED TO US IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH) I KNOW A LITTLE SIGN LANGUAGE, BUT WOULD LOVE TO BE FLUENT IN IT.

13. What's your favorite quote (for now)?
I HAVE SOOO MANY FAVORITE QUOTES. I HAVE A LITTLE "QUOTE JOURNAL" I WRITE ALL MY FAVS IN...HERE'S ONE OF THEM: "DON'T LOOK DOWN ON SOMEONE UNLESS YOU'RE HELPING THEM UP."~ UNKNOWN

14. What is your favorite colour?
PINK. PINK. PINK. LOVE IT. SECOND FAVORITES ARE LEAF GREEN, TURQUOISE, CHARCOL GRAY, BLACK, TIFFANY BLUE, WHITE, RASPBERRY & TANGERINE.

15. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
MY LILLY PULITZER DRESSES. THEY JUST LOOK HAPPY!

16. What is your dream job?
I'M DOING IT! WIFE, MUMMY, PART-TIME PICTURE TAKER ;) & STARTING A FEW CRAFTY THINGS ON THE SIDE~

17. What is your worst habit?
WORRY. I WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING. EVERYWHERE. AND...I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME LETTING FRIENDSHIPS GO. I TEND TO HOLD ON TO THEM EVEN WHEN I KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE. I'M CAREFUL WHO I CALL FRIEND. BECAUSE ONCE I DO, IT'S FOR LIFE.

18. If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on?
WELL, RIGHT NOW I'M GETING READY TO BUY MY MAC LAPTOP, SO I'D PUT IT TOWARDS THAT!

19. Do you admire any one's style?
REESE WITHERSPOON. EVA LONGORIA PARKER. JESSICA SIMPSON.

20. Describe your personal style?
CLASSIC. THINK JCREW/BANANA REPUBLIC & GAP WITH A BIT OF LILLY THROWN IN.

21. What are you going to do after this?
WORKOUT. EVERYDAY. 5-6 TIMES A WEEK. LOVE IT!

22. What are your favourite movies?
YOU'VE GOT MAIL, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, THE HOLIDAY, PRIDE & PREJUDICE AND THE ENTIRE COLLECTION OF THE GILMORE GIRLS...

23. What is your favourite fruit?
I LOVE ALL FRUIT, BUT CHERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, RASPBERRIES & BLACKBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES & GRAPES ARE VERY POPULAR IN OUR HOUSE...FRESH DURING SUMMER, AND FROZEN DURING WINTER...

24. What inspires you?
PEOPLE WHO HAVE A STORY TO TELL. LOVE HEARING PEOPLES TESTIMONIES. COLOR INSPIRES ME. THE BEACH. NYC. INSPIRATION IS ALL AROUND, WHAT I FIND IS BASED ON WHAT MOOD IM IN.

25. Your favorite book?
BIBLE. JUST STARTED READING ME, MYSELF & LIES (VERY GOOD SO FAR!) AND LOVE & RESPECT (THE LOVE SHE MOST DESIRES & THE RESPECT HE DESPERATELY NEEDS) ALSO VERY GOOD!

26. Do you collect something?
PICTURES. LOL! POLISHED ROCKS...AND UNPOLISHED ROCKS. SEA GLASS. BOOKS. I'M NOT REALLY A COLLECTOR, SINCE I DON'T LIKE CLUTTER, BUT THESE THINGS I INCORPORATE INTO MY DECOR.

27. What is your favorite smell?
MY HUBBY. MY KIDS. LEMONS. PEONY. FRESH CUT GRASS. BEACH. RAIN. CLEAN LAUNDRY...

28. What are you most proud of?
MY MARRIAGE & MY KIDS!

29. What do you like most about yourself?
THAT I'M A LOYAL FRIEND. IF YOU'RE MY FRIEND, I'LL STAND BY YOU NO MATTER WHAT. MY ABILITY TO FORGIVE. I CAN'T HOLD A GRUDGE. IT'S NOT IN MY NATURE, AND IT'S SO NEGATIVE. I DON'T WANT NEGATIVITY SHADOWING WHO I AM. LIFE IS TOO SHORT. I'M ALL ABOUT SECOND CHANCES. JESUS FORGIVES, WHO AM I NOT TO??

30. What is your go-to nail polish color?
LINCOLN PARK AFTER DARK FROM OPI. IT'S A PURPLE-Y BLACK. ONLY ON MY TOES. FRENCH MANICURE FOR FINGERNAILS.


31. What do you fear most?
SNAKES. LITERALLY MAKE ME WIG OUT. CLOWNS, EWWW. BEING OUT OF CONTROL. I'M A TYPE-A CONTROL FREAK...


1) Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog. Replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention and add one more question of your own.

if you've read this all the way through, and want to post it to your blog, then consider yourself tagged! just leave a comment on here, so i can read yours!!!

happy tuesday all!

i will never make it as a burglar...

so friday night comes and the kids are off with grandma and papa for the weekend. hubby is working at the property, and plans to spend the night there, so that he can get an early start in the morning. i'm going out with the girls to celebrate a birthday...i {stupidly} decide to leave at 12:45am...that puts me getting home at 2:15am. after about 30 mins of driving, i decide to surprise *j* and sleep at the land with him {our 5th wheel is there, and is sooo much closer than the lake house}...he had asked me to earlier in the week when we were discussing weekend plans, but i had said no due to the lack of running water {our well isn't dug yet} and my complete disgust with "roughing it" when you really need to use the loo...

so, i try his cell. no answer. {figures. absolutely no reception out there.} i get out there, and turn in the drive. it hits me. it's almost 1:30am, and i don't have the electric gate opener. we have a keypad, but to my knowledge *j* hadn't programmed it yet. so i did what any girl in a babydoll dress, oversized purse and cowboy boots would do. i parked my car as close to the gate as i could. locked it and scaled the fence. yep. i was feeling so macgyver-ish, using my cell phone as a flashlight {it's pitch black out there}. just as i got to the 5th wheel, i hear *j*'s cell phone ring. he answers it. this is how it goes:

*j*: {sleepily} hello?
neighbor: hey, *j*, it's joe, i don't usually make a habit of calling people this late, we just got home from fishing and i saw a black infiniti SUV drive by and park in front of your gate, and it looks like they've climbed the fence. i wanted to let you know before i called the sherrif.
*j*: {now having seen me} i appreciate that, but that's my wife. she didn't have her gate opener with her.
neighbor: oh, okay, well, i just wanted to let you know. like i said i was going to call the sherrif, but i wanted to let you know.
*j*: really, i appreciate it.

they chat a bit and hang up, he has this bemused look on his face and a crooked grin. "whatcha do, climb the fence?"

"yep" i replied. {i was pretty proud of it}

"why didn't you just enter the code in the keypad?" he asks...

grrrr. he forgot to tell me that he set the stupid thing. he also said i should never try to be a burglar.

i agree. ;) bummer. i thought i was pretty sneaky.