No Pants April: Day 30

Feeling No Pants April fabulous

Brown knit jumper, brown tee topped with a green floral wrap shirt.

No Pants April: Day 29

Feeling No Pants April fabulous!

Teal skirt with silver shapes on it, gray tee with lace overlay and my New-To-Me car. (More on that in another post)

No Pants April: Day 28

Feeling No Pants April fabulous!

Black slinky knit full gored skirt, floral/sequin grey tee (and later, a plain grey tee as it was a two outfit kinda day) and a piano... just because

Just for Laughs!

Ha ha ha!

I may or may not have snorted while laughing about this. You're welcome!

No Pants April: Day 27

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Same pose, same outfit, same location in 2016

Kristy welcomes the sun!

No Pants April: Day 26

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

I la-La-LOVE this skirt! It makes EVERYTHING feels so glamorous!

Hello Oscar

Oscar shed this week and is feeling particularly handsome and majestic. He was sunning himself and thought you all might enjoy a peek at him.

No Pants April: Day 25

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Tee from Hercules, random silliness from me.

In other news, today would have been my Dad's 81st birthday. Happy birthday, Heaven-side, Dad!

A Weekend Away!

Zia Park Hotel and Casino

Dan had to work all weekend long and Amy was coming up to visit Doug (whom Dan shares an apt with) so Dan got bumped to the local hotel/casino. He called and asked me to come up for the weekend and I made the necessary arrangements and caught a ride up with Amy and her little cuties. We laughed and talked all the way there, and then shared a late lunch with Dan and Doug before they decided to call it an early day. Dan and I headed to the hotel and checked in, and then went in search of a WalMart and a laundromat, because Dan needed clean clothes, and well...because we know how to party on a Saturday night. *giggles*
We got the clothes done and headed back to the hotel, and Dan took me to the fancy-schmancy steak house in the casino. The food was delicious and the ambiance was just right. SOOOOO quiet and elegant. Dan and I talked and laughed our way through dinner and then called it an early night since he had to work the next morning.
Sunday morning he left for work and I spent a happy morning tidying our room, reading, watching Food Network and digging around/updating some things on the blog. Dan came back to the hotel around 3 and we spent the afternoon just lounging around, watching TV and enjoying not being interrupted 72 times an hour. Later that evening we went to a walk around the lake and laughed at the ducks and geese trying to get our attention. Again, we turned in early since Dan had to work on Monday.
Monday after Dan headed to work, I started updating the blog in earnest. I think I posted about 20 posts, mostly No Pants April, but still it felt good to be blogging again. I read some more, I watched a little TV, I tidied our room and went for a walk. At lunchtime, Dan showed up unexpectedly and announced that he would be working late and that I would have to stay another night and day. Eeek! I'd promised BossMan and BossLady that I'd be back at work Tuesday morning. So I made a few calls and sent a few texts, and soon I'd made all the arrangements to stay another day. And while I'd initially kinda freaked out about it, I soon got used to the idea of staying another day.
Things Change. Story of my life, LOL!
At 2:30 Dan appeared again, and announced that Doug had changed his mind and that I needed to hurry up and pack so we could get on the road. They were going to work late on Tuesday instead, so that he could get me home Monday evening, get a full night's rest and head back. And so that's what happened.
I feel like I should be sharing some deep thoughts I had while I was uninterrupted for a while, or that I read 6 books in 1 weekend, or that Dan and I had some inspirational break-through in our marriage, but I can't share anything like that. We just enjoyed one another's company, slept well and actually talked. Not about anything deep or Earth-shattering, just good fun conversations. And that's enough.

Thank you to HB for putting Hercules up in a hotel for a few days. A HUGE thank you to Amy for letting me tag along with her and the kiddos. And, well...Thanks to Hercules for wanting to spend time with me after all these years.


*Pics to come later.

No Pants April: Day 24

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Another day in the hotel. I read, I blogged, I walked, I watched Food Network...it's the little things, y'all! And of course, an evening with Hercules is wonderful! <3 br="">Black and white sleeveless dress with "Some people wait their whole life to meet their favorite athlete, I'm raising mine." tee. Good stuff.

A Funny Thing Happened the Other Day...

I don't know about your place, but my house is full is random silliness, crazy antics, too many pets and LOTS and LOTS of boys. I often think to myself, "Surely this kind of ridiculousness happens only at my house. So, in honor of the "Only at MY House" Moments, I submit this silliness.

Pat and Nathan went to IHOP a few days ago to grab a bite and finish up a serious conversation they were having. I stayed home to put DT to bed, clean up after Game Night and enjoy a few minutes of quiet. They made it back and went straight through the living room on their way to Pat's room. I realized a few minutes later that I'd never heard the video games resume...or Pat's bedroom door close. It was then that I realized I was being watched from the kitchen doorway and they were whispering behind their hands to each other. Sensing an ambush, I started to feel nervous. Here's what happened next.

Pat, walking towards me says to Nathan, "Remember what we were talking about at dinner...about my mom?"
Me, still sensing danger, "Umm, you were talking about me at dinner?"
Pat, arriving at the couch where I was sitting, and speaking to me, "Mom, I"m going to pull your skirt up a little." (raises the hem of my skirt from the tops of my feet to just below my knees)
Me, completely baffled at this turn of events, "Umm, whaaaat?!?" (Apparently I'm not as good with the witty comebacks as I used to be)
Pat, again to Nathan, "See? Told ya."
Nathan, obviously impressed, "Whoa, they ARE huge!!"
Me, smacking Pat's hand off of my hemline, "What is the Sam Hill is going on around here?"
Both of them start laughing hysterically and talking at the same time, telling me that apparently my muscular calves were on the conversation list while at IHOP and they are both impressed at how big they are.
I've always had large calves, not in a bad way, but in a I'm-pretty-strong-and-my-calves-don't-have-room-to-stretch-out-long-ways way, so they are bulky. I'm fine with it, and none of this exchange hurt my feelings, but seriously, I HAVE to the only one who has this craziness going on at her house.

In other news, it's a good thing I have a sense of humor and a decent self-esteem. *winks*
What goes on Only At Your House?

No Pants April: Day 23

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

 Woot! A whole day in a hotel alone while Hercules works! I blogged, I read, I went for a walk. It was glorious. And I felt beautiful all day long in this little number.
Floral dress with back lace detail, and a wine colored tee under it.

No Pants April: Day 22

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Day 22 found me on a short road trip with a sweet friend, who took me up to Eunice to spend the weekend with Hercules. He had to work all weekend, so we started our time together at the laundromat...because we know how to party.
Secret Garden skirt, black graphic tee, and sunglasses.

No Pants April: Day 21

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Blue and White Kaber Original skirt with gores, Friday Game Night shirt and bare toes. Life is good.

No Pants April: Day 20

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Burnt Orange Wrap skirt, brown tee with fun back detail, and little Felicity on my shoulder :)

No Pants April: Day 19

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

I struggled with my photos today, so sadly, there's no photo of me actually WEARING the beautiful skirt that I've been dying to wear. It's a Kaber Original, and the t-shirt is from Dolli. Have I mentioned that I'm grateful for friends that have good sewing skills and good taste?

No Pants April: Day 18

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Secret Garden Skirt by Kaber Originals, layered tees and a sweet peas necklace

No Pants April: Day 17

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Aqua Kaber Original skirt, simple grey tee, and the flip flops. And a high 5 from Chavi. Simple, comfy and No Pants April Awesome.

Easter 2017

He is Risen. He is risen INDEED! Christ is ALIVE!
Dan, The BIGS and I all volunteered to serve at the Easter service (first one in our new building!!) Dan and Dastroyah worked security, Pat worked in SonTown, and I was a greeter (who turned out to be needed as an usher) while DT attended SonTown. Pastor D brought the truth, Larry and the worship band brought the praise and Jesus brought the reason for celebration. Twas a lovely service. You can watch it at www.getrealchurch.org if you want. It's pretty good.
After church was finished, we went home and I did dishes, prepped some food and got ready for company. People started showing up around 2 and we sat down to eat at just after 5. Everyone contributed to our dinner and we laughed and gamed and laughed and played with the little ones and laughed some more. Little Carissa-Pie declared that Nathan was her new best friend, much to the amusement of everyone there.
I managed to convince everyone that we needed a photo for my mom, so...Mom, you're welcome.

In this picture, there are:

• 5 Meyers
• 3 Starnes
• 3 Baldings
• 2 Sanchez
• 1 Bruno
• 1 Delanoy
• 1 Clark
• 1 Bean
• 1 Kimbrough
• 2 crazy dogs
• a partridge in a pear tree 
• and a whole lotta love

Best. Easter. Ever. 

No Pants April: Day 16

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Happy Easter!! He is Risen!
Floral sparkly FULL skirt from the local thrift store and a hand-me-down from someone with much more style than me. Yep, it works!

No Pants April: Day 15

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Blue and yellow tie-dye skirt and navy tee. Easy breezy beautiful.

No Pants April: Day 14

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Must be Friday :) Good Friday, at that.
Navy tiered skirt, Game Night shirt, juggling all the things and pretty toes.

No Pants April: Day 13

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Long sparkly gypsy skirt, brown tee, and joy that makes me want to click my heels.

No Pants April: Day 12

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Khaki skirt with button detailing, blue tee, bare feet. Bare feet are always good. *grins*

No Pants April: Day 11

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Long black and white dress topped with a simple black tee. Flip flops. Probably one of my fave NPA outfits.

No Pants April: Day 10

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

 

Aqua and grey floral tiered skirt, grey tee with lace overlay, flip flops...and a rose from Dan.

Baby Caden: Smiles and Camo

Caden is smiling bigger and more often now. I'm loving his smiles and his fuzzy hair! Can he GET any cuter?

Screen Free Week is Coming!!

Yes, friends, it is time to start preparing for the upcoming Screen Free Week 2017! It's as simple as it sounds. No screens, except for the necessary like homework, email, and GPS.
We are opting for "just" a week right now, as opposed to our month like in years past. But I think we will have several Screen Free Weeks this year.
Don't know where to start? Here's a short list to get you started:

• Take a hike/skate/bike ride
• Go to the library
• Enjoy cooking and eating a meal together, uninterrupted
• Take a nap
• Read aloud to your children 
• Soak in the tub while music plays quietly
• Have coffee/tea with friends (and actually be fully present with them)
• Bake a cake
• Do a science experiment with the kiddos
• Swing at the park
• Go to the zoo
• Go Bowling
• Make a puzzle
• Blow bubbles
• Rock a baby to sleep
• Board/card/dice games
• Paint/sculpt/sketch
• sew/knit/crochet/tat 

Come on guys, who is with me? Let's do this! 

No Pants April: Day 9

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Floral, Flirty and Fun? Yes please!
Scored this little beauty at WalMart for less than $15. Woot!

No Pants April: Day 8

Feeling Not Quite No Pants April Fabulous

There was no picture from today, so I'm posting this one from two years ago. Same skirt, less attractive shirt since I was working for the gym today. Oops, sorry.

No Pants April: Day 7

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

A ticking striped, gored Kaber Original skirt (much longed for and completely unexpected) and a simple navy tee. Sweet Peas birthstone necklace.

Baby Caden: 2 Months Old

It's hard to believe this little guy is already 2 months old. He's growing so fast that it kind of takes my breath away. According to his Daddy and Mama, he's holding his head up pretty well now and smiling on purpose. Go Caden!

No Pants April: Day 6

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

 

Another Kaber Original skirt and new-to-me tee from Dolli. I'm so glad my friends and family have good taste :)

No Pants April: Day 5

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

New skirt by Kaber Originals and new-to-me tee from Dolli

No Pants April: Day 4

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

Oooo, day 4 brings a collage!
Green knit jumper, black tee, tennies

No Pants April: Day 3

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

DT took this photo. I normally do my own photography, but he wanted to help. He did great.
Floral peek a boo skirt, lilac tee, flip flops

No Pants April: Day 2

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

I love this skirt! Thank you, local thrift store!
Long full embroidered black skirt, khaki tee, flip fliops

No Pants April: Day 1

Feeling No Pants April Fabulous!

I'm keeping it simple with just a photo and *perhaps* a small comment. Promise :)
Long black knit skirt, Gym Magic Tee, tennies

No Pants April~ Kick Off

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, skorts, 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 have to 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 #NPA2017.
~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 at home and at the gym.