Am I Ready For This?

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Tomorrow is a big day...I'm going back to work. Just one day a week, for four hours, so it's just enough to get my feet wet before I have to plunge back into the working world next school year. One of the local schools called and asked if I would come do some tutoring during the school day and my immediate thought was to say no, hang up the phone and go hide! I really wasn't sure I was ready to face returning to work in any capacity, but I bought myself some time to think about it by saying I needed to check about child care and the terms of my leave with the county.

I decided that one day a week would provide me with a way to begin the transition back to work without shocking my system (and the extra money is a plus!) My mother-in-law is going to watch the babes, and I really hope that this motivates me and reignites my passion for teaching, making me look forward to returning to teaching in August. Wish me luck...I'm sure I'll need it!

Take a Gander At This!

Okay, so our contractor brought these over last week and I am super excited! They are our real house plans!! And I can't wait to get started...just a little longer with the bank side and we can break ground.

And I just had to share a picture of my little Bug...she is going to break hearts! Just look at that precious smirk!


Hope everyone has a happy Monday...

I've entered Brown Eyed Belle's Giveaway...have you? Some cute stuff up for grabs!

Top Five Friday...Tha Drank

I've noticed how other bloggers do some sort of post for a particular day of the week and I really thought I'd like to try it, but I just never found the one for me. "Not Me Monday" where you tell what you really did, but say you didn't was just too confusing for me (sad, I know). TMI Tueday, not really my style...a lady just doesn't reveal it all. Wordless Wednesday. Ummm, I stink at photography. HNT-Half Naked Thursday. Not.A.Chance. So I thought of "Top Five Friday." I'm sure it's been done or is being done elsewhere, but it just came to me and since I have a love affair with lists, I think I'll like it!

For my first Top Five Friday, I'll share with you my top five favorite cocktails.
#5. The Cosmopolitan...pretty good anywhere you get one.

#4. Vodka and Cranberry with a splash of Pineapple juice...very tasty, but a mouthful to order.

#3. Amaretto Sour...one of the first drinks I had and fell in love with. What I drink when I really don't want to drink.

#2. Margarita...this one can go from #2 to bottom of the list if not done correctly. I have one restaurant that I love to go to and I order a Jumbo Top Shelf Margarita, on the rocks, no salt and it is divine!

And #1. Bonefish Grille's Pomegranate Martini...and I love those little frozen grapes so I always want extra. (and if they won't give me extra then I just order another martini)


So there it is, my first Top Five. Any suggestions for a new beverage to try that might break into the list?

Men with Manners

Sometime, somewhere I read the following quote, but for the life of me I can't remember where and I don't have time to figure it out, so I give credit to whoever said it, but it wasn't me. "

"Good manners are free, but forgetting them will cost you dearly."

I love that quote, and I try my best to always remember my manners (even if what I'm really thinking isn't the most mannerly) As a Southern woman I feel that I am expected to "mind my manners." Well, what about the men? Southern gentlemen, it seems, are becoming a rare breed. But the other day I was reading an old issue of Southern Living July 2009 (because reading spring and summer magazines is how I get through the winter) and I found this list. It is titled 15 Ways To Charm Her, written by Amy Bickers. (I'll just include the main points, not the explanations of each)

One~ Stand up for a lady. (figuratively)

Two~ Know that the SEC has the best football teams in the nation.

Three~ Kill bugs.

Four~ Hold doors open.

Five~ Fix things and build stuff.

Six~ Wear boots occasionally.

Seven~ Take off your hat inside.

Eight~ Grill stuff.

Nine~ Call us.

Ten~ Stand when we come back to the dinner table.

Eleven~ Pull out our chairs.

Twelve~ Pay the tab on the first few dates.

Thirteen~ Don't show up in a wrinkled, untucked shirt.

Fourteen~ Never get in bar fights.

Fifteen~ Know how to mix our favorite cocktail just the way we like it.

I love this list...Numbers 4, 10, and 15 are my favorites. So, is this the way it should be, or am I just an outdated Southern Belle?

**In reference to the opening sentence, I am owning the fact that I have a problem with run-on sentences. No apologies.

Making Progress

I am steadily making progress in de-cluttering my home. Yesterday was very productive! I washed the baseboards and window sills, dusted and polished furniture in the living room, and cleaned out several drawers. I really stink at photography, and at the moment I have no desire to even learn how to take good pictures, but here's a few pics of things I love in my home.

The buffet in my dining room...probably my favorite piece of furniture I own!


A tea set my mama bought me when I was in college and one of the doilies my Mamaw crocheted.

I love the shelves in my kitchen...the perfect place to display my favorite glassware, pottery and flower pots.

Pot O' Tea + Elbow Grease + Napping Babes = WIN!

It's a good thing us Southerners are good at obsessing (usually we obsess over food or our hair, but cleaning will do), because I am pretty much doing a cleaning overhaul on this house.

I began by drinking a pot full of my yummy tea and making a list for the day. I made two lists actually; a cleaning list and a list of things I need to purchase to help organize my home. Since shopping was not in the cards today I began with my cleaning. By the end of the day I had...
-washed all of my pottery pieces, tea sets, wine glasses
-dusted and washed every shelf in my kitchen
-cleaned the stove
-cleaned my laundry room top to bottom
-swept
-dusted my bedroom and dining room furniture
-cleaned the bathtub, sink and the toilet (all I can say is eww, boys!)
-and washed Bug's diapers

Whew, I'm tired just writing it! Even if I fail at my resolution tomorrow, today was good. My house is at least one layer of dust lighter and I already feel better. And what of those two adorable babes? Well, I'm all for bribery with milkshakes and today I was blessed with a full 3 hour nap...for both kids...at the same time! It's like winning the lottery for a mama! Maybe if I get brave I'll post a few pics tomorrow.

Simplify

It a new year and time for a resolution! I know there are a list of statistics showing how many people fail at keeping their New Year's Resolutions, but what I'm banking on with mine is a little thing called motivation. My resolution is one word,


And my motivation is that by simplifying my home and my life that I will be able to cut down on the stress that I experience. Right now my stress level is pretty low, but I will be returning to work this year and I know that with that the stress is never too far behind. I have started by cleaning and organizing drawers and closets (which will also be helpful when it comes time to move). I realize that the less clutter I have around, the less stressed I feel. This will definitely be a work in progress. I will keep you posted with my progress...

On a lighter note, my mama and I had the treat of going shopping for the day while my hubby watched the babes. We ate lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and I picked up a few post-Christmas gifts for myself. It was a great day even though we had to push our New Years dinner (pork chops, greens, black-eyed peas, and corn bread) back a day.

Treats for me!


...to wear to ballet class.

And my two favorite teas from Teavana.

Rooibos Tropica

and Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl Tea...delicious together!