With Gratitude

Today is Memorial Day. Like many other families across America, this weekend was filled with the beach, time with loved ones, delicious food, and relaxation. I'll blog about all of that tomorrow. Today I want to stop and remember why we have this Holiday. I want to remember with gratitude. I am grateful to live in America. I am grateful to all of the men and women who sacrifice so much for the freedom that so many take for granted. I am grateful to those who have lost their lives, to those who have served, and those who are serving now. I am grateful.


My grandfather aboard the USS Wisconsin. November 1946

Unsolicited Advice

Don't you just love unsolicited advice (dripping sarcasm)? I was in the express check out at Publix yesterday when the cashier looked at me and said "Girl, you need some sun!" Nothing like stating the obvious. Yes, I am fair skinned. Yes, I could use a tan. Yes, I use Jergens Natural Glow moisturizing foam every single day. No, apparently it does not work. I will continue to use it though because have I mentioned that I stockpile toiletries? Yes, I bought 3 bottles in my coupon frenzy last month. By the way, I fell off the coupon wagon with a resounding thud - no time to keep up with all of that! I digress. So the cashier and I are no longer BFF. She thinks I am pale, I think she's rude. The end.

In Wonderland

I always heard people say you get more forgetful after you have a baby and I thought it was a bunch of nonsense. Well, I believe it now. Some days it's like I don't even know myself! This morning I was talking to a friend telling her I had forgotten to RSVP on an evite and she said "First you lose your phone, now this? It's like I don't even know you!" We laughed about it but it's so true! She also told me I was allowed to be "in wonder" every once in awhile. I like that way of putting it, sounds much more pleasant than being in crazy town. I think it comes from being so incredibly busy. Between work, photography, household duties, making sure the little one is getting balanced meals, friends ... things just fall through the cracks sometimes and honestly, I'm okay with it. I am doing to best I can and I am happy. That's what's important right? I love the mommy blog world because it truly makes you realize that what's happening to you is normal (or at least you're all crazy together).

On another topic, my sisters and brother are coming tonight! They will be here all weekend and I am soooo excited! Pedicures, SATC2, beach time, and fun await! It's my sister's birthday today so I will leave with a picture of her and Addison from her last visit a couple of weeks ago. Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Words To Live By

This is GOOD stuff ...

Monday Monday

It's Monday again! How does the time pass so quickly? Freaks me out. I had a wonderful weekend. Much needed rest & relaxation after the last couple of weeks. I also had 3 photo shoots- crazy town indeed. I have lots of editing to do this week but it's all good because I got some great shots of some c-u-t-e babies! Friday night we had a delicious dinner and watched Valentine's Day. Although it was a predictable movie, I thought it was cute. Saturday we ran errands and then went to dinner at Red Elephant with Crazy Betty. I love their pizza!

Sunday was perfect. Early photo shoot, cleaned the house for our company coming this weekend, we washed my car (Addison and I watched, hehe), played in the pool and had one of my favorite dinners (fajitas!). All in all, it was a success! I love starting the week on a happy note :) BTW - The Bachelorette starts tonight, I love a stupid reality show. I'm sure this season will feature the most dramatic rose ceremony ever ;)

Smiley

Smiley
Originally uploaded by UncommonBlonde

Just in case you needed an extra smile today ...

An Open Letter To The Devil

Dear Devil,

You're slimey and have bad breath. I hope you're having a bad day. Your buddy Guilt tried to pay me a visit this morning and I even listened to him for a little while. Luckily my friend JC called and told me he was a lying liar so I kicked him out of my house. I am the head not the tail, I am going over not under, I am more than a conquerer. I am enough. I am a good wife, mother, friend, and employee. My house is clean enough, my efforts are good enough, and I am blessed. Tell your friend Defeat to go pick on someone his own size.

Your friend Depression has been bothering a bloggy friend of mine and on her behalf, please tell him to suck it. She is beautiful and unique, and fearfully and wonderfully made. She's onto him so his days are numbered. Did I mention I think you are gross? Cause you are. You should also know that Jesus is my homeboy and he said he'll deal with you later. In the meantime, leave me alone and tell all of your friends I hate them too and they are not welcome here.

Walking on Sunshine,
Uncommon Blonde

Did I leave anything out? Feel free to leave a comment if there's anything you'd like to add ;)

Are We Doing This Now?

At the risk of offending some of you mamas out there I have to ask this question -
Are we doing this now?

I had a friends suggest these to me recently. A very organic type mama ... or so I thought. I hate to judge but these look just gross. Someone told me they are just like hot dogs. I might eat these words in a few months (probably will!) but I don't really want to feed hot dogs to Addison. Not exactly high on the nutrition scale in my opinion. I am sure someone will make fun of me in a year when Addison won't eat anything and I desperately give her anything that even resembles protein but I would rather delay the processed garbage food as long as possible (forever?). I actually bought a jar of these because I thought they were so icky that I wanted to take a picture for my blog (yes, I'm an idiot because pictures are free online).

Crazy Betty saw them on the counter the other day and asked about them. I told her how bad they looked and she said "what? they look good to me! I'll give her some" (with a daring look in her eyes). To which I replied "not in my house you won't!" She thought that was hilarious but I had to remove the jar from her hands to ensure she wasn't going to do it. I have a feeling she would have ...

Disclaimer - if you feed these to your kids please don't be offended. I am sure I do things you would not agree with so let's just agree to disagree - K?

Back in the driver's seat

Last week I felt like I was being dragged under a bus. Yes, it was a rough week. Everyone in my house got sick and that, combined with starting the week low on energy after a very busy (but fun) weekend of traveling, did not make a good combination. There was laundry stacked everywhere, a fussy baby, and I could not wait for it to be over. Thankfully, my sister came into town on Friday and we managed to end the week on a high note. My house is (mostly) back in order, I feel rested, and I have a to-do list again. Nothing like a to-do list to make this type-A girl feel like she's back in the driver's seat ;)

A few other randoms-

Did anyone see the Today Show clip this morning about stores selling returned underwear? It freaked me out! I asked Uncommon Husband what we were supposed to do to make sure this didn't happen to us and he said "We should start making our own."

Apparently I am not allowed to just be sick. I was asked twice last week if I was pregnant (once by Crazy Betty who also informed me that I cannot have another baby until I move into a bigger house). And people wonder why I keep it to myself when I am not feeling well.

Miami

I went to Miami on Saturday to visit my best friend from college and her new baby. It was so special to be able to meet him when he was only a week old! I drove there and back in the same day, mostly because I did not want to be away from Addison for even a moment more than necessary. I took pictures of their new little guy and I'll have to share a couple soon. I got a new baby hat that is adorable! The drive down was fun and went fast but the drive back felt like eternity - doesn't it always seems to go that way? On the way home I talked to another friend and got some updates on her latest dating adventures. You know there's a good story coming when she starts with "Remember that episode of Sex & The City where Charlotte's date starts licking her face?" I always tell her she needs her own blog with the ridiculous things she encounters!

(first) Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day was amazing! It started with the gift of a charm bracelet from my favorite place and the start of a very special tradition. I hope to add charms for big occasions over the coming years. (I also want to start one for Addison on her first birthday and get her the pink cupcake as her first charm!) We went to brunch at a wonderful golf club. It's very private but I recently got a culinary membership which entitles us to use the restaurant (and uncommon husband can play a couple of rounds at full price $$$). Anyway, it was a treat to go and have brunch there and the spread was amazing - lamb chops, quiches, salmon, salads and a dessert bar that made me greedy. Crazy Betty and my aunt joined us and it was a great time (especially when Crazy Betty said she was going to order wine and a mimosa so she could get "tanked up" - hilarious!). Addison was perfectly well behaved which was a relief because on the way out there we second guessed if children were even allowed. Another great part of my day was that we discovered that Addison can finally wear a bow in her hair! I feel so lucky to have such a beautiful baby, an amazing mother and a wonderful family. Hope your Mother's Day was extra special and full of love.

How I Roll (Wheels Up!)

Today I went to Key West for lunch. Doesn't that sound fancy? It felt fancy!

My friend has a pilot's license and invited me to go flying - to Key West of all places! We flew down the coast and over the beautiful Gulf waters to the Keys this morning. It was fascinating - on the flight down we were in constant communication with Air Traffic Control and I listened to all of the pilots and information. One plane was tracking Florida panthers and needed clearence to fly at a certain altitude, so cool! We landed in Key West, had brunch, took some pics, and were off again. The flight back was different and equally as entertaining - we were off of the radar/radio and chatted as we flew through puffy clouds, over the Everglades and inland Florida. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful adventure. I feel so lucky to have been able to go - thanks Chris!

I think flying by private plane is my new favorite way to roll ...



Tomorrow morning I am off to Miami (sadly by car this time) to visit my bestie and her new baby boy! I love my life!

Ladies Who Lunch

I attended a cooking demonstration and luncheon today for work. Although the food was delicious and I can't complain about a free lunch, it took more than 3 hours! Most of the ladies were having wine and making a day out of it while a few of us had to go back to work. By 2:00 I was ready to wrap it up but I was not leaving before dessert was served. Chocolate expresso torte and berries with cream ... yumm!

(I would have taken pics with people in them but I didn't remember until the demo was over and I don't think you care to see a bunch of pics of little old ladies)

Monday Funday

It's Monday!

Wasn't that an enthusiastic and unusual greeting? Although I am so sad to see my wonderful weekend come to an end, I am happy it's Monday. This week wraps up the busy season for me at work and that is GOOD news. The end of this week is going to be fabulous as well - lots of fun plans ahead. So on that note, I'll keep it short and happy and end with some more pics from this past weekend.

Happy Weekend

We had a very happy weekend! What a contrast from last weekend when we were switching off working the whole weekend - we didn't have any quality time together. This weekend was so relaxing and fun. Yesterday we went to the park and ran errands and finished the day with a date night. Today our friends twin boys turned 2 and we went to their birthday party. We stayed afterwards and the little ones played in the water and had a great time. Addison is getting old enough to play and interact - it's adorable! She kept trying to give one of them kisses. Such a little flirt!