The Cupcake Effect

    






     Charlie + Cupcake =

Charlie + Cupcake + Playground =

Charlie and the Train

 My little bear couldn't wait for the train to stop! He just stood there staring at it as it rolled around the kiddie area.

 I had him ride with my mom because I wanted to take pictures.  Her pictures always come out so blurry because she moves the camera before the picture has been taken.

 Here he is looking at the conductor as though he really understand the exchange that is about to be made. 

He thought that I was going too.

I really love this picture because of his little hand on mama's leg... its just so darned sweet!  I love these two people more than anything!

I.Am.Winning!

 I seem to have luck running through my veins. My kid's daycare has a fall festival every year, and during this time, they raffle huge gift baskets.  I bought three tickets on the last day and won! I walked into the daycare to pick up Charlie, and the Director called me into her office to give me the news.  I couldn't believe it!

 

The basket was filled with all kinds of yummy, baking goodness! 

I have never had creme brulee or even seen it on a menu, but I've heard the folks on The Food Network mention it here or there. I don't think I'll attempt to make something so fancy... I might use it to darken up a chicken or something... I dunno.

This is what encouraged me to buy tickets for the raffle.  My husband and I always celebrate at the Cheesecake Factory... I literally think its the only restaurant we go to besides Chick-fil-A (which I consider a real restaurant since the staff places fresh flowers on the tables).  I can't wait to go!!!

 I often try to make things by scratch, but sometimes my baking doesn't turn out well, so I welcome boxed goods.  I've already made muffins and a loaf of bread (see below). And that Pam spray was right on time because we were soooooo out!

The cooking supplies were too cute since they were geared towards encouraging little kids to help in the kitchen. Charlie will use those sometime next year.

This is one of the boxes of bread... it was pretty amazing and very easy to make. I nearly burned down the house because I used wax paper in the oven thinking that it was parchment paper... but all is well! The wax smell is finally out of the house, and nothing actually caught on fire! Success!

Inspiration Monday- Party Friendly

This is a cool look for the Inspiration Monday over at Two Birds. This sweater of mine is one of my faves, and these boots are worn too often.  The top is a thrifted Jones New York that I got from the Goodwill.  I wore this to a baby birthday party (which explains my disheveled hair). It's a nice look that gave me the ability to run after my toddler (or some other kid) if I needed to.

An Appalling Afro

I want your to take a good LONG look at this monstrosity of an afro.  It is absolutely hideous... HIDEOUS! And it makes me want to slap the model in her face for wearing such a craptastic wig and posing like a clown!

I came across this picture in Michaels as I stood in line to purchase my items.  Because it was a few days before Halloween, I just assumed that it was some sort of costume that she was wearing.  After staring long and hard at it, I realized that she was wrapping what looked like a Christmas present, and that this was a REAL advertisement that had been put out by the company to sell tape or something.

I literally looked around expecting someone to jump out and say that I was on some sort of hidden camera show, but that didn't happen... so I whipped out my phone and took this picture. I posted it to Facebook and complained there. A friend of mine found the same add in Boston and sent me a picture.  I couldn't believe (well, actually I could) that this was a national advertisement.

As a woman who has naturally kinky hair and who wore an afro in college, I am absolutely offended at this terrible wig. I mean seriously... why does she even need to have an afro? Why couldn't they have used her real hair or a more believable afro wig?

I'm stepping down off my soapbox, but I just want the ad people for 3M (or whoever is responsible for this) that they should be ashamed for such a terrible ad.

Out of Commission

This is the look of a stomach virus... I wanted so badly to participate in the inspiration Monday last week, but I had the ultimate misfortune of catching a virus that lasted about four days.  Without going into dramatic details, I'll just say that this virus resulted in me rolling into the back of a car at a stop sign, losing four pounds, missing Homecoming, and falling far behind at work. 

After I got better, the local news reported that some elementary school in one of the metro counties had over 100 students and several staff catch a bad stomach virus... the entire school had to be sanitized.

Highs and Lows

I am excited about going to my college's homecoming this year!

*high*

I am in the process of applying for entrance into a Specialist in Education degree program.  I'm extremely nervous excited about the idea of going back to school.

*high*
Assuming the GRE is a part of the process, I look up dates to take it.  The only date available this year is on the same day as my college's homecoming. 

*low*

I call the University to which I am applying, and the associate tells me that GRE scores are good for ten years! I can still go to homecoming!!!

*high!*

I check the GRE website to get my scores from 2004 and find that they don't keep scores past seven years.

*lower*

I am pissed that I will have to miss homecoming and pay way too much money for this exam.

*lowest*

After talking with my husband, I decide to call the university to talk to them about the requirements. I find out that the GRE is not required for the program!

*super high!*

I get to go to homecoming!!!

Homecoming... Out All Night!

I went to my high school's homecoming this year

because the alumni have organized an actual 

alumni association! 

There have been several changes to the campus 

including this really cool rubber (I'm not quite sure what it is) track

and turf field.

I decided to wear brick red lipstick to the event and then had the 

ultimate misfortune of accidentally putting a kiss on my friend's shoulder

during a hug with the principal who was our math teacher in high school. 

When it happened, I instantly looked at her and said, 

"I can get it out! I have baby wipes in the car!!!"

The baby wipes didn't work, BUT...

The CLOROX wipes (i just so happened to have in my purse) 

that she made me buy five months ago

got the stain right out! 

Lesson: Always carry Clorox wipes!

We got very nostalgic watching our band... 

Although I haven't played my clarinet in over ten years,

I bet I can still play "Get Ready" by heart!

Well... maybe not.

I wonder what makes people want to squat down for short people

when they take pictures together. I wonder if its instinct or sarcasm.

Anyway... I don't think I've ever felt shorter in my life! 

Everyone was taller than me!

It is probably best to take pictures sitting down when everyone is 

at least half a foot taller than I am. 

Corey owns a lounge in the area, and he invited us out.

We really had a great time chilling, listening to the DJ,

and watching the crowd.

I didn't get home and in the bed until FOUR Sunday morning! 

I told my mother that I was determined to go out instead of 

my usual sitting around the house watching stuff

on the DVR.

The price of not going to bed at my usual bedtime (between 8pm and 10pm) 

was exhaustion for the entire week.

Inspiration Monday... Making It Work

I really like this jacket from the inspiration at Two Birds...

I MUST try to find one similar at the thrift store.

I've had this dress for a while now, and this is the first time that I can say I actually like it. I bought it from Francesca's about a year or so ago during one of their big sales. It is a tad shear, a bit short, and was too small. However, it works better with leggings and a tank underneath. I guess its works best as a sort of tunic.  I got the blazer back in 2006 after I finished grad school and started doing interviews. This is my first time wearing it since.  I took the shoulder pads out, and I like it much better.  The boots are one of my favorite pairs of shoes. They don't quite fit over my legs, so I wear them scrunched down.  A rotten kid told me they looked like Harry Potter boots. I wanted to tell him how wrong he was... and that they are actually reminiscent of pirate boots *sticks tongue out*.

An Outing with Charlie

We went to Party City to check out the Halloween stuff...

Charlie couldn't wait to dash through the store!

He decided to stroll on past Barbie (Thank goodness!)

 

But Thomas (of course!) caught his eye...

And then Thomas needed to come home with us, but he didn't... 

I had to pry his fingers off of this pinata.

Then we saw Diego, but he wouldn't put on the mask...

I'm sure I looked like a lunatic wearing it though.

When it was time to leave, he wouldn't get in the car...

Not even by force...

But he had no problem riding in this at Buy Buy Baby!

He ran over many toes and backed into several displays...

Then he went home and played as Spider-Man!

Inspiration Monday (or Tuesday)- Blue Blazers

I'm not sure if I agree with her sleeves being pulled over her hands, but this is a comfortable look.

I wore this on Sunday so that I could run (very quickly) to the mall to find something to wear for our family photo shoot that was taking place later that day.  I only had about an hour and a half, so I reached for my thrifted Ralph Lauren blazer, jeans, gray cotton tee, and Toms (I LOVE my Toms). 

I wore the blazer again on Monday but with a pair of "shorts" (they're like slacks that stop at my knees).  I am so proud to be able to wear these shorts again! They didn't fit for a while after I gained all of my post-baby weight (yes, I was heavier several months after having Charlie than I was immediately after giving birth).  And... I finally found a way to wear them that doesn't make me look shorter than I am... the length of these shorts can literally make me look like am elf. I don't think I realized how much they dwarf me until I saw Clinton (on What Not to Wear) talking to a woman about how cropped pants make everyone look shorter.  I took that bit of advice as me needing to get rid of anything that isn't floor length (while wearing platforms).

I also got Charlie in on the fun! He was trying on his family photo outfit which just so happened to include a navy sweater.

Foodie- Spaghetti Squash Casserole

I joined Pinterest sometime over the summer and became a pinning maniac.  I pinned DIY projects, learning tools for my kid, housekeeping strategies, and (most importantly) food recipes! Even before I started pinning, I bought a spaghetti squash as part of my weight loss program (Weight Watchers).  I wanted to make the healthiest spaghetti possible- a noodle-less, 99% fat free turkey and tomato sauce extravaganza.  Well, I made the spaghetti but with whole wheat noodles instead. So... I was left with the squash... which sat on my kitchen counter for a few months until my husband demanded that I make it soon.  I whipped out my phone and searched for the recipes that I had pinned only to find that I didn't have the ingredients for any of them, but it had to get cooked so... 

  

I steamed it in the microwave, scooped out the squash, placed it in my mixing bowl, then thought over it for a while.  After consulting the internet, I pieced together about three different recipes for casseroles and came up with this...

 It's a dish of squash, spinach (found hiding in a dark corner of my freezer), mushrooms, onions, cheese (ricotta, parmesan, and mild cheddar), garlic, and salt.   It turned out pretty well, and we had so much that we ate off of it for a week. I don't think Zack really liked it (since he doesn't like anything that is "different"), but my co-worker loved it (she's more adventurous with her food). It took my a whopping hour and a half to make, but that is how long it takes me to make anything.

Inspiration Monday- Get Busy and find something to wear!

I sat in my closet for about thirty minutes trying to find something to wear for this inspiration at Two Birds. Literally... I sat there in a total conundrum: what can I possibly put together so that I don't have to shave my legs!  I could either wear a knee length skirt with nearly-knee boots, or I could wear pants, or I could wear a long skirt.  After settling on a skirt that I hadn't worn since 2006 and a pair of nearly-knee boots, I decided to wear this:

This skirt is one of my FAVORITE thrifted items.  I am very happy with the fact that I didn't have to pull our a razor for this inspiration! Like... seriously... taking a break from shaving my legs is one of the best benefits of Fall... warm jackets, cool/cold nights, boots, tights, and No Shave (October) November-February! I'm just kidding... I'll at leasts get a shave in sometime around Thanksgiving and another around Christmas.

I chose this skirt because even though it is long, it still has the movement of Busy's adorable, short skirt.  I feel like a freaking super model when I walk the pavement catwalk from my Civic to the front door of my school because it flows so perfectly.  I get lots of comments on it when I strut in it... so, shout out to the fabulous woman who donated this to the Goodwill!

 And I didn't forget my boots! I feel a little more country and a little less rock and roll wearing these, but they are SUPER comfortable and are perfect for the rain we're having in the South today. I even thought about doing the blue nails, but instead I painted my nails with Essie Jazz and quickly moved on to other thoughts.  Have a wonderful Monday!

To Grandma with Love

Dear Grandma,

I was driving to work this morning and realized that it was your birthday! And not only is it your birthday, it is your 100th birthday! This day is indeed special!  I continued driving to work wondering what I would do to celebrate you, and I figured that I'd write you a letter to let you know what has been happening in my life these last thirteen years.

 I went to college and received a Masters degree.  No, it is not the medical degree that I promised I'd get, but I've told mom and dad that maybe I'll go for a Ph.D later in life, and that is almost the same... almost. Instead, I am a teacher, and I love what I do!

 I got married.  I think you would like Zack. He tends to be very serious and is a great provider.  We had a nice wedding downtown, and all of the family came. We kept things simple.

 We later bought a house and had the most beautiful, little baby boy ever! We named him Charlie. Grandma, he is absolutely amazing, and I know that you would adore him. He is eager to learn, and he learns so fast! I tell him how great a grandmother you were and how mama shares the same love with him as you did with me. She is a fantastic grandmother, and Charlie loves her!  

 

The only difference between you and mama is that she doesn't make biscuits from scratch, nor does she make quilts by hand. She is, however, in the process of sewing together a Thomas the Train blanket for him. You'd be very proud of her. I know I am!

 I miss you so very much, and I thank you for being such a wonderful woman and matriarch.  I try so hard to have your patience and understanding.  I often (like, very often) fall short of that, but I try, and I know that one day, I'll finally have the same grace you exhibited. I love you. I love you. I love you. More than you ever knew... and I will love you forever.