It's No Pants April Time Again!

 

#NPA2018   #NoPantsApril

 No Pants April? What the What?! What is NPA and who thought it up? Long story short, my friend Kimberly made it up a few years back when she moved from Sunny Cali to not-nearly-as-sunny Ohio in the middle of winter and ended up sad and depressed. She found herself in a sweats and hoodies clothing rut, so she decided a fun way to get out of that rut was to challenge herself and a few friends to spend a few more minutes each day picking out pretty clothing and a spring fashion trend was born. I've been participating for a few years now and I'm looking forward to this year's NPA with renewed enthusiasm since I've scored a few new pieces for my wardrobe for a steal (thanks King's Treasure and Family Dollar!) and I can't wait to debut them!
     As for the rules, I'll refer back to what I wrote last year...
Hi Friends! It's time to kick off that fun-filled month of April with another round of No Pants April!
Here's the rules:
~When you leave the house, cover your lower half with something that is NOT pants. Like skirts, dresses, jumpers, kilts, culottes, etc. If you live where it's still cold, feel free to wear leggings under your skirt (but not INSTEAD of).
~Leggings are NOT pants. The end. *winks*
That's it. No other rules. Simple.

However, here are some other suggestions:
~If you wear a uniform to work, please let common sense prevail and don't get fired. Just wear your No Pants April attire elsewhere, like at home, at the store, while running errands, hanging out with friends or at church.
~If you are playing along and use hashtags, please use #NoPantsApril and #NPA2018.
~Have FUN! Ladies, this is a great excuse to enjoy some retail therapy, make a few skirts, or in my case, have a friend make you a few skirts, and enjoy some time at the local thrift store.

I'm wearing skirts pretty much all the time, even when I'm home.

It's the Little Things: Day 78

I want to focus on the good things this year.
All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we?

• It's dinner bubbling away in my new Power Cooker (aka Instant Pot) I'm trying wild rice tonight. 
• It's a Skype date with my little Punk, Caden, who is growing up at rate that is much too fast for this far-away {Grand}Mama K.
• It's realizing that in 10 days I'll be on my way to IL so I can squeeze his little self nice and tight. 
• It's playing on SnapChat with Derek making silly faces and taking pictures.
• It's a man-child that comes over just to hang out, and let the car-dogs spend the evening together. (Chavi/Chevy, Datsun and Lexus) 

                      

What's on YOUR little things list?

Simple Woman's Daybook: March 5, 2018

For Today: March 5, 2018

Looking out my window: It is dark now, but it's still pleasantly warm (57*) The stars are twinkling in the evening sky and I'm reminded anew of how much I love living in the southwest.

I am thinking: That this new year is already flying by at a somewhat alarming rate, and it's time I opened my eyes to see it, and my arms to embrace it.

I am thankful: For days of having all my local boys under our roof at once, a feat that's getting harder and harder as they grow up.

One of my favorite things: Plans. Meal plans. Reading plans. Travel plans. ALL THE PLANS.

I am creating: A cozy haven for all my men to enjoy when they arrive home. And for me, too...which is something I didn't make a priority until recently.

I am wearing: Jeans, a sparkly tee, sporty socks and tennies. Normal work-week attire.

I am reading (read) /watching (watched) / listening to: Boundaries, Married and Still Loving It, and The 5 Love Languages (reading), This Is Us, Land Girls and Call the Midwife (watching), and The Lesters: Ain't God Good? (listening)

I am hoping: that the liquid soap I'm making from the bar soap my cousin sent me will turn out to be the correct consistency. *crossing my fingers*

I am learning: that I don't always have to be in control. (but I haven't learned to like it yet, LOL)

In my kitchen: A Life As Mom freezer lunches meal plan found here It was INTENDED to be prepared and fill the freezer for quick, easy lunches on the go, but when you are #FeedingTeenagers things rarely get to the freezer before they get gobbled up. :)

In the school room: Mr. T and Slick are working on week 25 of school and will be finished by mid-May. I don't know is more excited, them or me. BEST school year ever! We are currently studying King Solomon, Greece, and the Trojan War. We are reading The Children's Homer, which they are loving. They are also working on memorizing Psalm 1:1-6 Aunt Jodi/Mom is working with them on writing book reports about The Indian In The Cupboard series.

In my garden: In the past, I've often called myself the garden nazi because I accidentally kill plants so often that my plants just kill themselves when they see me coming, BUT, this year I've managed to keep 3 poinsettias alive and healthy, plus an aloe plant and my spider plant is blooming like crazy right now. The roses in the front yard aren't blooming yet, but we cut them back 'for the winter' in late December and they are already growing back like crazy and are taller than Hercules.

Board room: Mama K doesn't do Pinterest because I already have more craft supplies for ideas than I'll ever be able to complete before I die, and the last thing I need is MORE ideas, MORE craft supplies or MORE guilt about all the things I'm already not doing. Ha ha haaaaaaa!

Shared Quote: "Women marry men hoping they will change. They don't.
Men marry women hoping they won't change. They do." 

*Ahem* I needed to hear that today myself. Maybe you do, too. 

A moment from my day: A sweet blossom I saw as we exited church yesterday morning. Spring has sprung in the southwest! 

Pretty Petals on an early Spring Morning

Closing Notes: As I anticipate spending Easter away from my nuclear family for the first time since getting married, I'm torn between guilt-ridden sorrow about being away from them and our home church, and delighted glee at the prospect of being with my son, daughter-in-love and grandson and attending our old home church for the special day. It's a quandary. I will say this, however, my BIGS didn't bat an eyelash at the prospect of me being away. They said they would handle the youngest brother while Dad was working, and keep Dad company while I was gone. Makes a mama proud that she can leave for a week and not have a single worry that things will be handled properly in her absence. And people think I brag on my sons too much...as if that's a thing. ;)