My Love Affair

Y'all, I have a confession to make. I'm in love with someone other than my husband. Her (yes, her!) name is....

 

{New York, New York, the electric city...} I'm obsessed. Ever since I started watching Smash (ohmygahsogood!), I just can't get enough!! I daydream about going to see her (what? Aren't all cities considered women??), I google pictures of her while I'm at work, I sing songs about her. Yup, it's pretty bad. So, I've decided that I need a trip to see my new gal. Now, here's the thing, unless y'all are going to hold a fundraiser for me, there's no way I'm going any time soon, but I swear, I'll get there one day!! I may be 98 years old with one foot in the grave, but I swear I will!! But, in the mean time, I have to settle for drooling over her gorgeous photos, reading articles about things to do while I'm there, writing love letters to her on my blog, and watching this: 

{All I ate today was a bagel...}

Anynewyorker, I'm compiling a list of things to do once I get there. Number one on the list?

The Whispering Corner at Grand Central Station

{via}

Let's forget for one second that when you're standing in this corner, it looks like you're... relieving yourself, m'kay? Other than that little tidbit, the whole being able to whisper across the room to someone is so utterly romantic to me. This is definitely the first stop.

Then, we'll head over to

Top of the Rock

{via}

The views from the observation deck of  the Rockefeller Center are absolutely stunning. So what if I'm afraid of heights, we'll handle that once we get there!

Then, we'll grab some type of street food, and swing by

Central Park

{via}

We'll visit Strawberry Fields, the Central Park Zoo, and the Shakespeare Garden, then call it a day and head back to the hotel.

So, there you have it, that's my plan for my first day in my new favorite city. Have you ever been? Do you wanna go? What's something you'd want to see?

I hope you all have fabulous weekends! There won't be a Saturday Sensationals tomorrow because I've hardly spent any time on the internet this week, but be sure and come back on Monday to meet some really special ladies!! X's and O's, my darlings!

  

Swap Buddies: Meet Ray J

So, you all know about my addiction to twitter, right? Oh, who am I kidding, of course you do!! Anywhoodles, I followed Ray J on the twit for a looong time before I ever realized she blogged. Horrible, I know! But, I have fixed that. So, grab a drink, sit back, and meet Ray J.

**************

Hey there! I'm RAY J and I'm a first time mommy to Jaydran, my too-smart-for-his-own-good 1-year-old son.

In addition to being a mommy, I'm also a wife to my husband whom I've known since Jr. High. I
went to college and got a bachelor's degree in art, focusing on graphic design, yet somehow I ended up working retail part-time! I live in what Forbes deems to be the 9th worst city in the US, yet I've lived here most of my life and it really doesn't seem that bad...

Despite living in Northern Illinois, my hubby and I have been huge Dallas Cowboy fans since we were both in grade school, having made a trek down to Cowboys Stadium when I was 5 months pregnant. I also enjoy video games and am a recovering World of Warcraft addict, having
gotten sucked into it while in college and playing for nearly 5 years straight.

In addition to blogging about my family and the going-ons in my life, I participate in link-ups and swaps and occasionally make some humorous posts, share some neat video game or pop culture art, and make nostalgic trips down memory lane of things we enjoyed in the 80s, 90s and early 00s!

Alright, y'all, now go check out her blog, or holler at her on twitter!



For the Babes

IT'S MONDAY!!!!

I'm not really sure why I'm yelling, but I can tell you why I'm excited!

There's nothing really special about today, except for the fact that I'm blogging to tell you that, once again, I'm asking you for money.

Yes, that's exciting.

I guess you're wanting to know why I'm asking for money, right? No, it's not to support my shopping habit, that's pretty much under control. Kinda. Anywhoodles, I'm asking for money for the babies. What babies, you ask? These babies.

Y'all, I love March of Dimes. It's such an amazing foundation, and I love working with them. This is the third year in a row that I'm participating in the March for Babies walk, and raising money to benefit March of Dimes. M wasn't premature, but she did have to stay a few days in the NICU, and it broke my heart to see the tiny babies that were there for weeks and months at a time. So, as soon as I heard about March of Dimes March for Babies, I signed up as quickly as I could.

Now, this is the part where you come in. I've started a team, Southern Bloggers for Babies, along with my March for Babies buddy, B, and we're going to be walking at the Austin event in May.

(Thanks, Mandy, for making the purty picture!)

Now, there are a couple of options on how you can help! Obviously, you can make a donation, or you can just pass the word around! Word of mouth is the best advertisement, right? So, tweet about it, post it to facebook, send smoke signals, just help us get the word out that we're raising money for the babies! Also, if you're within driving distance to Austin, we'd love to have you join the team!!

I know that if all of you can either make a donation, or just pass it along, we can reach our goal!



Saturday Sensationals

It's Saturday!! Woot Woot!!
And guess what!? I'm posting my Saturday Sensationals on the correct day! Look at me, being all on time and productive!
OK, let's get down to it, shall we?
I love Megan's Ten Rules to Live By
Did you believe anything silly when you were a kid?
Who needs new loves when you have old loves?
I am completely, utterly, totally, head over heels in love with this blog
This is freaking adorable.
And this is just weird.
Look, I found Popeye!
Why don't you brush up on your knowledge of bar glasses?
Then teach yourself how to properly drink wine?
And finish the day off with a delicious Grapefruit Margarita!
I hope your Saturday is downright magnificent, even if your plans are to lay around all day! Cheers to the weekend, my dears!

Eleventy

TGIF, y'all! How has your week been? Hopefully wonderful!

I'm so flattered that the always lovely Kourt tagged me in her eleven questions post yesterday! (BTW, if you aren't following Kourt's blog, you should be. She's also on twitter. Holler atcha girl.

So, here are the rules:

•You must post the rules.
•Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you; then create 11 questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
•Tag 11 people and link them in your post.
•Let them know you have tagged them

And these are my questions:

1. What is your favorite song and why?

Hmmm, favorite song. Currently I'm digging "Boys from the South" by Pistol Annies.

2. Favorite past time?

Definitely a tie between spending time with my family and spending time with my horse.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I've always said I'd love to live in New York or Paris, but truth be told, I wouldn't leave Texas. Texas is home, it's in my blood, and nowhere else would feel right.

4. How many children do you want to have [if none already]? If you have children, how many and do you plan for more?

I'm sure y'all already know that I have a daughter, M, right? Ok, just checking. Anyway, we only have one *human* child, and that's pretty much all I want. The Hubs would like to have another child, but I like just having M. I can spoil her as much as I want and give her all of my love and attention. So, I'm pretty much betting that we're finished!



5. Name 2 of your favorite movies.

8 Seconds and Steel Magnolias

6. Have you ever done anything crazy to your hair? A weird color, bad cut?

I've never intentionally done anything crazy with my hair, but I have had my share of bad cuts! Many that have resulted in me ugly crying all the way home from the salon.

7. What is your favorite restaurant?

Honestly, there are too many to list. It all depends on what type of food we're talking about, and whether we're talking about a small town restaurant, or a big city joint. But, I will say that I loooove this little whole in the wall place called The Texas Star Cafe in New Ulm, Texas. That would probably be my last meal if I could choose!

8. Embarrassing moment?

Oh my, I've had many of those! I tend to be pretty clumsy, so I fall down a lot. Making a fool of myself is something I do well. Need proof? Here ya go.

9. Are you a morning person, or an afternoon/evening person?

I love mornings, as long as I can relax and not be rushed, but, if I had to choose, I would pick evenings over mornings any day. Evenings are my time. My time with the tv, my time with the internets, my time to do whatever I want. Evenings are where it's at.

10. Favorite scent?

Leather and the scent of a horse. Yes, I'm totally serious.

11. Are you a side, back, or stomach sleeper?

I'm an all-over-the-place, stretch-out-as-much-as-possible, wrapped-around-the-dogs sleeper. The Hubs works nights, so most of the time it's me and our doxie, Corona, and our Blue Heeler, Dixie, in our king size bed. Now, listen, a kind size bed sounds like it's enough for all of us, but it's really not. Mainly because they have to be as close to you as physically possible. Almost on top of you. We may as well be sleeping in a twin bed.

Alright, here are the girls that I'm tagging,

Holly at A Cajun Belle

Brittany at Less Britt & More Life

Vicki at My Vickilicious Life

Tiffany at blabbering thoughts

Amber at glitter and dirt

Celia at ...just trying to find my way

Holly at Precisely Holly

Lil' Woman at Little Woman, Little Home

Kendra at Silkybowties

B at Unexpectedly Expecting Baby

and

Cassie at blue jeans & flip flops

And here are my questions:

1.) If you could have any career, what would it be?

2.) What is your idea of the perfect weekend?

3.) What's your favorite holiday, and why?

4.) What is your favorite thing about the town you live in?

5.) What did you want to be when you grew up?

6.) Who was your junior high crush?

7.) What actress would play you if your life was made into a movie?

8.) Where is the one place you must visit before you die?

9.) Toilet paper: over or under? Plead your case.

10.)  What's better, a quiet night in, or a wild night out?

11.) What is one thing you cannot go a day without?

I think I'm supposed to answer my questions, but this post is far too long as it is. If you're curious about any of my answers, just holler at me!

Hope y'all have fabulous weekends! Happy Friday, my darlings!

 

What Should I Do?

We all have those friends. The ones who we're stuck like glue with in grade school, and high school, but once you're both out in the real world, you grow apart.
You try to keep in touch via emails, phone calls, texting, sometimes even snail mail. But eventually you fall victim to your new adult life, and time goes by and you don't speak anymore. Then, one day you run into your old friend somewhere, and you catch up for a minute, and then part ways promising to "get together soon". And most of the time, that "soon" never comes.
 The reason for this post is that I have a dilemma. I have a one of these "friends", someone who I was so close with growing up, but we have since parted ways. Now, here's my dilemma. She is recently engaged, and has not only invited The Hubs and I to the engagement party, the bridal shower, and wedding, but she has asked if M can be a flower girl. And I'm torn. I mean, I'm so very, very happy for her, and I wish her a very long and happy life, but I'm just not sure I want to attend the wedding, and I'm definitely not sure about M being in the bridal party.
Here's the thing, if we go for years without talking, aside from the occasional facebook comment here and there, why do you suddenly want me to attend every wedding related party, and have my child be a part of the ceremony? 
Now, listen, I'm really not trying to be rude. I'm just saying that it's almost like inviting a very distant cousin to your wedding, because we no longer know anything about each other. We've both grown, and changed. And I know that some could argue that she would like to be friends again, but, if that were the case, wouldn't she have reached out sooner? Wouldn't she have come to M's first birthday party? She was invited, after all!

Source: someecards.com via J on Pinterest

Anyway, I just don't know what to do. We received the invitation to the engagement party, and I'm supposed to RSVP soon, but I just don't know what to say. So obviously the right thing to do is to ask you, my darling readers! What would you do if you were in my shoes? Suck it up and attend all of the festivities? Just attend the wedding? Let M be their flower girl? Tell me what to do!! Because obviously y'all should be the ones to make all of my life decisions, right?

Monday's Mantra

Source: Uploaded by user via J on Pinterest

I hope all of you are absolutely ridiculous today. Happy Monday, my loves!

Satur,...Err, Sunday Sensationals

A day late and a dollar short. Story of my life.
Anytardy, I haven't written a Saturday Sensationals post in a couple of weeks, and I've hated myself for it. So, here's my Saturday Sensationals, on Sunday.
M looooves play-doh, so I'm certain we'll be making this Rainbow Glitter Play-Doh very soon.
I need this card for The Hubs. Cause he's foxy.
Fabulous fireflies, FTW!
Tom Hussey's Reflection series breaks my heart.
I love this relationship tip from A Cup of Jo. (And the When a Man Loves a Woman clip at the end!)
Hey, F**k Your Noguchi Coffee Table
Which is better, Paris or New York?
And lastly, a cabin in a Brooklyn loft.
Happy Sunday, my darlings, I hope your weekend has been magnificent!

Let's Chat

Hey there, good lookin, what's shakin?

Can we talk for a minute?

Obviously, I love you. You, my dear reader, rock my world. My heart squeals with delight every time I'm notified that I have a new comment. I'm all, "they like me, they really like me!"

So, obviously I want to be your bestie for life and get bff necklaces.

Or, ya know, connect in other ways.

If you know anything about me, you know that I'm a social media addict. I luuurve social media. Like, social media and I should have a baby. And name it iPhone. Or Mac. Or Apple. We'll hash that out later. Anywhoodles, the point is, if it's social media related, you can bet your first born that I'm all over it like a fat kid on cake. And trust me, I know all about cake.

So, my lovely reader, what does all of this babble have to do with you? Well, I'm glad you asked! I want to be friends. On twitter, on facebook, hell, even on google+! If you're on twitter, and I'm not following you, let me know!! If you're one of the few on google+, add me to your circle! If you're on facebook, like my page! (Please?)

Here's the reason for this weird post. I hate discovering a blog, and it becomes my new favorite, and I'll all, "OMG! I love this person, we should be friends and go on coffee dates!" only to realize they aren't on twitter. Insert sad face. I'm a twitter addict. I can't function without my beloved twitter. How can we be best friends and plan our spring break vacation together if I can't @ you any time I want!?

So, basically, this is me, begging you to be my enabler. If you aren't on twitter, join. I swear you'll love it. And if you are on twitter, well, what are you waiting on, give me a holler!

Bottom line, we should be bestest friends, because, you? Are awesome.

Have a fabulous weekend, y'all!

On Life With a Toddler

Y'all? Two year olds are fun. And tiring. And dramatic. But, mostly fun.
Back in January, when M turned two, I had a bit of a breakdown. How could my teeny tiny baby have grown up so fast!? It's like she's practically an adult!! I cried for two days straight and may or may not have drowned my sorrows in a pint or two of Blue Bell. And then I was all, "buck up, J, and make the best of it!"
So, I changed my snot and tear stained shirt (ew) and went to play with my teenager two year old.
And, y'all? I realized that this stage is awesome!
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my child doesn't suffer from the terrible twos every now and then, because, whoa, Nelly, believe me, girlfriend can throw a fit! I mean, full out, "fall on the floor, scream your lungs out, and spin your head around" kind of fit.
But, then she makes up for it with snuggles and cuteness. And funnies. Oh, man, is she a funny one!! Her personality is getting greater by the day, and it's so exciting to watch her learn and grow, and become her own little person. From potty training to learning how to ride her tricycle (she rocked both of those!), her little brain is just absorbing so much information. And it all amazes her so much. My heart swells with pride and excitement every time she sees something new. Her little eyes open as wide as saucers, and she lets out a tiny "Wooooowwww!" I never knew I'd be so in love with motherhood. I mean, I knew I'd love it, but I never knew this was secretly was I was meant to do with my life. She is, and always will be my greatest accomplishment.
OK, enough with the sappies, let me share with y'all some of my favorite M things and sayings.
Lately she's picked up this thing where she walks up to me whenever she's leaving the room, and says, "Be back, mommy, ok?" and she puts her little finger up like she's telling me one minute, and her voice gets a little higher when she says "ok". And then I giggle and die from cuteness.
She's also picked up a bit of an attitude. For instance, I'll ask her to put her toys away, and she does the "oooookaaaaaay" and does her version of rolling her eyes. Or she says "Whateverrrrrr, man". Not sure where she got that one. Or the one where she says "Oh, gawwwd" whenever she's annoyed. Full out thirteen year old sass, y'all. And I can't help but find it adorable.
Then there's Drill Sergeant M. She comes around whenever we take the dogs out in the yard. There's no chance of our dogs getting too close to the road, because little miss thang stands in the middle of the yard with her hands on her hips and yells, "Nonie Bug, get o'er here, NOOOOOW!" Or, "Ixie, 'ere are you!?" which translates to "Dixie, where are you!?"
And, finally, there's Rock Star M. She comes around at least once a day, and brings Rock Star Elmo with her. They set up their instruments in the living room and play a free show for us locals, complete with drums, a microphone, and a tambourine. And she throws in a little "Rock and roll, babeh!" at the end of every show.
There is never a dull day in our house. Even on days when she's sick, she still keeps a smile on her face and radiates happiness. My life is so much greater with her in it. I can actually say my life is complete. And, I've come to realize, that no matter how big she gets, no matter her age, she'll always be my little girl.

Monday Funday Not So Much

Y'all? I cannot get my act together. I've been saying I was going to wrap up my February Photo a Day Challenge photos for like, a month now, and I still haven't done it. They're coming your way soon, I swear. I even started the March challenge, but haven't posted any yet. I've also fallen behind on my Saturday Sensationals, and haven't responded to any comments. Jeeze, J, get on the ball! (BTW, if you've commented lately, and I haven't answered, I swear I'm not a jerk! I love each and every one of my comments, but most of the time I read the comment when it dings on my phone, and I forget to respond. I'm so sorry, don't leave hate me!)
Anyprocrastination, it's been a lazy day around here today, primarily because M is sick. I hate it when she feels bad, obviously, but it's kind of sweet because she's a big ol' ball of cuddles when she doesn't feel well. Momma's baby, FTW!
So, when I wasn't cuddling a sick toddler, I was cleaning house doing laundry perusing the interwebs. Because that's obviously the responsible, adult thing to do, right? Right. Anywhoodles, I probably should have been at least doing something productive, like filing my taxes, but instead I was online window shopping!! Wanna see what I'm lusting after? Of course you do!! First up, there's clothes. Now, it's rodeo time here in my part of Texas, so my brain has been on all things western.
 

Source: giddyupglamouronline.com via J on Pinterest

Source: giddyupglamouronline.com via J on Pinterest

I'm thinking either one of these with a big belt, to die for boots, and lots of blingy jewelry.

Source: giddyupglamouronline.com via J on Pinterest

I also found this, which I absolutely love. Paired with black dress capris and shrug, it's a perfect outfit for me to wear to church or work.

Source: t-shirtguru.com via J on Pinterest

And, obviously, I absolutely need this. Obviously.

In sticking with all things Texan/Western/Southern/Adorable, I also found these bad boys, which will be mine, very, very, very soon.

Source: etsy.com via J on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via J on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via J on Pinterest

Source: thetexascowgirl.com via J on Pinterest

I also fell in love with this little pretties, but sadly, they aren't available anymore.

Source: thetexascowgirl.com via J on Pinterest

I swear, my sweets, I will find you soon. If it's the last thing I do, I will find you.

Hope all of you had fabulous weekends and even better Mondays! (Gigglesnort)

Word to the Wise

Source: a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via J on Pinterest

Here's your Sunday PSA:Be nice to others. Otherwise people are going to think you're an asshole..