Sales are my poison

I finally caved. I've been trying to hold on and wait to buy things for our new place. I've made all kinds of excuses, I don't want to move it, I don't know where we will be living, it will take the joy out of shopping once I'm there, etc. But evil West Elm sent me another tantalizing email. I even had hubby take a look, and he approved! So we purchased a media console! It was on sale for about $300 off and we were planning on purchasing one once we moved. The TV currently resides on a rickety old coffee table, so this will definitely be an upgrade. The best part? I had it shipped to my momma. It should be there in about a week.

If you give a Princess some chocolate.....

Then she makes a chocolate nose.

Learning Curve

This week has been an emotional week and it's only Wednesday. At least it's halfway over. Last week I had been placed in a store, or rather, two stores, but it was a fixed schedule. I stressed out about finding housing in the middle of touristy, commercial MB. I prayed, I cried, and Friday night I found the perfect place. I thought it too good to be true, so I slept on it. Saturday morning I showed the craigslist ad to hubby. He was enamored as well and urged me to call. So I did. The agent spoke with the owner, who apparently is a bit picky about who he rents to. We passed the first test, so the agent agreed to email more pics. If we like the place enough, we can apply and place a deposit on it to hold it until June! We were over the moon. I hate waiting. Well, Monday night, I get an email from the new distict stating the previous position is no longer available. That employee decided not to leave. Bummer. They anticipate an opening in another store. It's 30 minutes away from the amazing rental house. Double bummer. I was really hoping for a short, easy commute. Hearts crushed. Lots of prayers ensued, heck, we are still praying. Currently, we still feel this rental is the best opportunity for our family. I drive the same distance to work here. The location is awesome, two blocks from the beach, walking distance to restaurants, grocery,etc. The interior is recently renovated, it's beautiful. We are continuing to pray and trust God that is the place for our family. It's pretty amazing what can happen when you let go and honestly have faith that God will provide. I feel like this is a break through for me; even if we don't end up living in this house. I'll try to post pictures once we know for sure if this is our next home.

Purple Princess

 My Grandma is talented. And she sews beautifully. I don't have a clue how to put fabric together or sew a straight line. She made a beautiful dress for Princess and of course I need to show it off. 

The dress, that is, not the Princess.

 

Isn't she precious?  She even wanted to put on her "nice" shoes.  Adorable.

 

Yes, that is a fistful of grass.

 

A nice shot of the sash.  Too cute.

 

This picture cracks me up.  Handsome is such a boy.  While Princess is twirling and throwing grass, he is making monster faces and running around.  Hilarious.

Thank you, Grandma, for the lovely dress!

My New Baby

Previously, I mentioned my iPad arrived. Here are the pictures to prove it.  Don't drool on your computer.

 That's the black cover protect-er thingy.  It also works to prop it up on a desk, but it use it mainly on my lap.  I'm still trying to figure it all out.  For instance, I can't upload pictures to my blog from my iPad.  There are apps available, but I think it is retarded to have an app simply for uploading pictures to blogger.  Typing is going to take a bit getting used to.  FYI, you can't rest your fingers on the keys.  For one, there are no "keys" and two, you add extra letters unintentionally.  I guess I need to spend all my waking hours glued to my iPad.  haha.  Nevertheless, I am enjoying it.  I've put a few more apps on it, but I haven't had a chance to mess around too much.  You know, kids and laundry and stuff.  Maybe my next day off in 4 days.  Or maybe I'll just forgo sleep.  One of these days I'll get my priorities straight, until then I'm addicted. Thanks, Apple.

That was quick

I suppose I was a bit hasty yesterday. I whined about not having a computer, missing the internets, and impending boredom and doom. I acted like a spoiled brat. I guess that is because I am one. Today, my iPad arrived! It was scheduled to come on Tuesday, so naturally we were very surprised! Unfortunately, my life isn't a bed of roses, so we did have a few complications. Since I'm not the type to make a long story short, here are all the gory details. In order to set up the iPad, we needed to connect it a computer and iTunes to register it. Of course, we cannot wait until Monday or (horror) Tuesday. Normally, this would only take 5 seconds, however we were missing said computer. Fortunately, we have some lovely friends who also have a Mac. After some schedule wrangling, kiddo feeding, and three hours, we were set. Sort of. Hubs is the mastermind behind the security for our Internet connection. I mean, so good, he can't get the iPad connected since the apple is missing. Durn security and smart hubby. So he purchase a one day Internet subscription so we could add stuff to the iPad and I can surf. Sweet hubby. I guess I'm not the only addict in the house. So, yes, I typed this whole post on my iPad. You should all be impresses. Especially since I deleted it once. The WHOLE thing. And had to start over. I am one dedicated blogger.

Another Delay...

My lovely Apple is going into the shop today.  Its extended warranty is about to expire and it needs a bit of cosmetic updating and cleaning up to hopefully last a few more years.  I'm not sure if I know what to do without a computer in my house.  I mean, I spend 8 hours a day on a computer at work and a good chunk of my free time.  I'm not sure what is wrong with me.  My kiddos will love the extra attention, maybe I'll get my house cleaned and a room packed.  Who am I kidding, I'll find another way to waste my time.  Anyway, I'm sure when Apple is coming back, hopefully Monday.  Next week is going to be busy work week, I'm picking up an extra shift and working a longer day, so I might not be back for a while.  I'll try my best to return ASAP.

House Hunting

Now that I know where I am working, we can focus a bit more on where we will be living.  We already have a house "wish list" we are praying for, now we can focus on the location.  The stores I will be working at are about 20 minutes apart.  I don't think that includes tourist traffic.  Ideally, we would like to live between them.  I am trying to keep in mind we are looking for temporary housing until we can buy something.  Since I have a permanent job position, would could buy within 6 months to a year providing we can maintain a savings fund for a house.  Currently, my problem, is finding a place in our target location.  I need to be patient and not freak out.  I need to relax and trust God.  I need to stop stalking craigslist.  Nevertheless, this is much easier said then done.  I haven't ever moved my family halfway across the US before.  I'm the one that supposed to take care and provide for them and I'm feeling a bit stressed.  Anyone have any tips on finding a good rental quickly in another state?  I'm really struggling to have some faith and not try to do this all on my own.

A Prayer is Answered

This week we got some exciting news.  A positioned has opened up for me in SC!  I will be splitting my time between two stores and working every other weekend.  My start date has moved up to June 17th!!!!  I am thrilled to have a permanent schedule.  The stores I will be working at are only open 9-7 and are in a high tourist area.  That means they are not high volume, but the focus is on customer service.  Working 10 hour days will be a change for me, and every other weekend instead of every third.  However, I think it will be a nice change of pace.  I am in a high volume store now and it will seem like a vacation to be in a slower store(s).  I might get bored after a bit, but I will worry about it when I get to that point.  I get a three day weekend every other weekend and every Thursday off!  I'm pretty excited.  One thing I am a bit nervous about is working by myself.  I work with lots of fun people now, so I'm not sure how I will handle working mostly by myself.  I know the LORD knows what I need and will help me with whatever challenge I may face.  Our prayer has been answered concerning my job transfer! 

PS:  I already looked ahead and I am off my hubby's b-day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and Christmas weekend!  Yay!

Shopaholic

I absolutely cannot wait to move.  I feel like I am starting a new life, fresh, and clean.  Not that I am living a dirty life now, just looking forward to a different one.  So I have already expressed that I want to move as little as possible.  Yet I still feel like "nesting" for my new one.  NO I am not preggo.  anyway, I came up with the clever idea of buying things and having them sent to my mom's house.  Then I will only have to move them 4 hours instead of 24.  So here is my latest purchase.  Any guesses where it is from?

WEST ELM!!!  These adorable alphabet mugs are on sale with free shipping, so I ordered and M and S  (NOT S and M).  Watch for them, Mom!  I can't wait to fill them up with coffee (hot chocolate for hubs) and sip them in the mornings while breathing in the salty ocean breeze......  Shopping addiction satisfied for the moment!

Ring Around the Rosy

Handsome has been doing the cutest thing lately.  He's been running around (mostly in circles) singing "Ashes, Ashes, Ashes".  We were quite perplexed for a while.  Sometimes he would sit down in the middle of his song.  Finally, we figured out he was playing "ring-around-the-rosy".  I have played that once or twice with Princess, but that was several months ago.  It is not something they play at church, so we aren't sure where else he would have learned it.  He must have remembered it from several months ago!  He has such a good memory! 
This morning the three of us played it together.  Princess loves to try to sing  along and loves "falling down".  However, Princess and Handsome would not hold hands.  They both wanted to hold on to Mommy.  So we had an open circle.  I love that my children are big enough to play together!

Inspired by White

I'm feeling pretty white and beachy thanks to ABeachCottage.  I've never really been a huge fan of white on white.  I mean, I think it looks nice, but always thought it impractical.  I tend to like my furniture dark.  However, after browsing her blog, I think I am in love.  I really love her white-on-white bedding.  I love the ruffles and the textures.  I might have to plagiarize.  Well, I give her full credit.  I'm not creative enough to come up with this stuff on my own.  If you haven't already spied her wonderful blog, you need to check it out. 

So, I'm on the hunt for white bedding.  I am gifting my current  bedding to Princess once we move, so new bedding will be a necessity.  I like eyelet, ruffles, maybe something crocheted.  I think I will know it when I see it.  Here is my inspiration shot:

this is mrs bc bed.

My thought is that I can start with white in my(our) bedroom, and as the kiddos get bigger and I am more adventurous, white can slowly edge its way into the rest of the house.  Even hubby says white belongs at the beach.  He also says I'll need to decorate with sea shells, but I'm choosing not to listen to that part.  I am finding beautiful textured white linens in Target's Simply Shabby Chic collection.  The good part is that Tar-jay is fairly cheap.  West Elm and Pottery Barn also have white beauties.  I can't wait to see what Ikea has to offer in person.  I know my inspiration room was made of thrifted vintage items, but I'm not sure where to look yet in SC.  Plus, I can't shop thrifted vintage online.  Who knows, maybe by the time we move I'll be over vintage white.

Does anyone else feel their style changes as often as mine?   I am working on keeping an inspiration notebook so I can look back and see the consistencies of what decor catches my eye.  Maybe I am still figuring out my style, or maybe I simply have too much free time.  Yeah right.  So what websites/blogs/magazines inspire you?

Happy Birthday, Momma!

It's my Momma's Birthday!  I think she is 25, but I can't remember.  It probably a good thing I don't know, she probably wouldn't want me telling the internets her age.  I miss her bunches, but just a few short months and she will be much closer!  Twenty hours closer, I think.  That's a baby-sitting opportunity waiting to happen.  Are you busy June 18th?  I think I might have plans and need a sitter for the weekend.  j/k.....sort of.  Anyway, I scrounged around to find a pic of my beautiful Momma, but the ones have don't do her justice.  I'm going to blame it on the old camera, bad lighting, and my general inability to take an artful picture.  

I know this one is grainy, and has horrible lighting, but I love their eyes!

Handsome is only a few days old, and GrandMomma had a long day with Princess, but she is so proud of him!

Outdoor lighting is better, but Princess wants to escape.

Seeing these pictures makes me realize how few I actually have of my Momma.  Guess who is having a photo shoot the next time I see her? The perfect belated birthday present!  Smooch!

A Day in the Life of....

Telephone ringing incessantly.
"Hello, this is a pharmacist, how can I help you?"
"Pharmacy, please."  don't pharmacists work in pharmacies???
"This is the pharmacy, how can I help you?
"I need to speak to the pharmacist."  isn't that what I first said??
"This IS the pharmacist."
"Oh....well, I need......."


While today, this technically didn't happen to me, it did to the amazing pharmacist I work with.  I would venture to say it happens at least four times a week, if not more.  At least in this case, it was a nurse calling an an prescription, and not an elderly person calling to see if their stool softeners are ready for pickup.  I really despise answering the phone. 

Ants on a Log

My princess has very strong opinions about her diet.  We are constantly trying to get her to eat different things, healthy things, something.  She does love peanut butter.  And raisins.  She also likes WonderPets, and they eat celery.  So, I tried the old "Ants on a Log" trick.

 Peanut butter sandwich (no jam, per the Princess) and Ants on a Log.

And this is what I get.

Eating the good bits. 

I was impressed she tried it.  Usually, she won't touch anything new.

Any tips on getting kiddos to expand their food horizons?  I admit, she is getting better.  But it has taken many dinners of forced bites.  BTW, I don't like celery either.