Love Thursday-Love the 20 year old You
Self,
It’s me fifteen years from now and Girl, I have some stuff to tell you. This year is HARD. Like rock your world hard. Not academically. Thank God. The only mistake you ever made academically was taking Russian. Let us not speak of that again. No. This year goes down as one of the worst because someone very close to you dies very unexpectedly. There is no one to blame and you will spend the better part of 2 years processing things. It’s OK. You need to ask those questions. You need to make this journey. Believe it or not, you actually emerge stronger and with a better sense of your faith than before. I have to tell you, you never forget. In fact, you make good on your promise and one of your children is named for her. The only piece of advice that will make any difference is to ask for help. You’ll need it. You’ll need friends too. Those people you think are your friends, they are not. They are mean girls and always will be. I wish I could say to cut them out of your life. But, what you go through with those girls will teach you very valuable lessons. By the time you reach your final semester of college, you are a very good judge of character and 9.9 times out of 10 you are 100% right. It’s a hard-learned lesson.
Try to relax. You spend a lot of time obsessing about things. One issue that takes up a lot of your energy is love and romance. You feel deep down that you are not going to find “the one” in college. And, you’re right. But he does show up. In a most unexpected place. In fact, to this day, I’m quite sure you are the only two people to have met in that place and gotten married. Yes, you’re married. It all works out. And sweetie, you both “just know” immediately. So, stop wishing it would happen and just enjoy. But, not that guy. The one you go out with because he sort of fit the list? Yeah, he screws you up for a loooong time in a very dangerous way. That teaches you something too. But it’s a lesson I wish you never had to learn. When you have questions about a guy and get a weird feeling in the pit of your stomach, that’s intuition Honey and its telling you to get the hell out. You make that last mistake in law school too. Oh yeah, that works out. Stop worrying so much. Geez. You are like a world class worrier! Good call on those two classes that are supposed to prep you for law school. They do. But, extremely bad call on registering for Economics. Your College Career Counselor is wrong YOU do NOT need that for law school and it stresses you way the heck out. Take a photography class instead. You love art and it would be quite useful later on.
Be easier on you. You expect so much of yourself. Too much. Nobody is that perfect and you shouldn’t try to be. You manage to make the right decisions most of the time, even if most people would take the other road.
Good call on all the involvement with collegiate athletes. It’s one of the best parts of being at Texas. As a result, you know a ton of Olympians and NFL stars. That never ceases to be cool. Hang out more with the athletes. The frat guys are a dime a dozen, but the Olympians are where your stories are at…trust me. There’s a time when you can’t take all the defeat anymore. Stay strong, the Horns manage to pull it out in a few years and you will want to be around for those games. But, when someone offers you tickets to see the 2001 Big 12 Championship game in Irving say NO. I know the tickets are cheap and you’ll go with a great friend. But, trust me. Chris Simms hands the game to Colorado and it takes you years to recover. Years. And, you’re still bitter about it. So yes, Chris Simms is as big a douche as you think he is.
Get ready self, once you get through this year, things really start looking up. Just take it a little easier on the night of your 21st birthday. You end up taking way too many shots and the result is. Not. Good. Take a few more risks in your clothing. Your body will never look better. Start buying clothes that fit-really. You are tiny and you don't need to hide it. You are so confident in most areas of your life except your body, it's yours, learn to love it. But, don’t cut your hair. I know you are tempted. However, super short is not a good look on you. Trust me. Oh well, you’ll have to learn that lesson the hard way. Another hard lesson- when you are tempted to (rightly) tell your in-laws that they are being selfish ass-holes, send them the edited version of that letter. The one page you write does enough damage. On the up side, you never have to see those people again. Yes, they are completely selfish a-holes and you end up hating them for how they treat your husband. In this case your first impression of them is completely wrong. That lesson sucks for how much pain it causes your husband. Stock up on wine around the time your second daughter is born, you'll need it.
In general, drink more water, eat more vegetables, stop spending money on cheap things and always buy for quality. Also, buy some Apple and Starbucks stock, that'd be great.
Kisses,
you +15 years, a husband, 2 kids, and a couple degrees
Part of Joanna's Blog Hop and Love Thursday, inspired by Cassie Boorn.
Let's Play Dress-Up!
Lands End Canvas
Boden
Banana Republic
I love chunky necklaces and wear them frequently. I feel like they can make an outfit. I suggest pairing a white shirt with black pants and a bright necklace like red or turquoise. Or, a navy or dark shirt would work too. Just be aware of necklines. You don't want your necklace to "kiss" the neckline-above or below only, not on. I love this necklace from Anthropologie and this one from Francesca's Collection for turquoise options.
Anthropologie
A great bag serves two purposes, it holds diapers, wipes, and keys and adds pop to your outfit. I know Amanda loves Vera Bradley, this bag has a similar look at a great price. Again, you can pair this with a basic black ensemble, or navy with a pop of yellow or light green.
In addition to accessories, another great way of updating your wardrobe is trying out new color combinations. Combine navy and yellow with a pop of red (a necklace or pair of shoes). Bright green works well with navy or white and red. Purples and blues will also complement each other.
As the baby weight starts fading away, I suggest accentuating your waist with a bold belt or sash. As far as clothing, I love the idea of a tunic over a pair of pants with a belt during the week and jeans or khakis on the weekend. I would look for swimsuit cover-ups to use as tunics, like this one or this one. (Yes, they're both Liberty of London-big surprise!)I'd also suggest looking for shirts and dresses that have details near your neck and face.
Amanda, I hope these ideas helped you a little. Let me know when you are ready to shop!
Things I've Learned About Running...So Far
The right equipment is critical. Good running shoes make a world of difference, as do the rest of your running outfit. Cotton is rotten-cotton undies, socks, shorts, and shirts are not good for running. Well, I guess you can wear them if you like being sweaty and getting blisters. My favorites- Lululemon running skirt, Under Armour unders, Nike and Champion tops and jackets.
Chocolate Gu is good, all others taste like Poo.
A good running music mix is crucial-without Britney, Kanye, and some old school 80s, I don't make it past mile 3.
When running in the summer, bring a towel.
That stuff you feel on your legs when you sweat during runs? That's salt. Yeah, gross.
Leave Gatorade, water, and Gu in the car and refuel each lap (I run around Memorial Park and stop after each lap).
The Galloway 4:1 method is pure gold.
I do not look pretty when I run. If you know how to look pretty while running, please leave a comment!
There are not enough cute male runners at Memorial Park on Saturday mornings. I love my husband, but he doesn't run with me and I need something to look at.
I eat more than I think I have ever eaten in my life after running, counting the two times I was pregnant. I always want to eat the worst foods after I run-like chocolate, milkshakes, and hamburgers...ahem.
Try signing up for a race in the winter or early spring- summer training is brutal!
I am crazy enough to have signed up for another half marathon, but nowhere near crazy enough to sign up for a full marathon.
Do any of my running buddies have anything else to add (T, Alex)?
Friday Favorite- Mini Design Flea Market
Love This Thursday- The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway
Drilling on the Horizon?
I was really happy to see that a judge took action to halt the drilling moratorium. For those of you who don’t know, my husband works in the deepwater oil industry. Drilling for oil quite literally provides for our family. When I first heard about the Deepwater Horizon explosion, my first thought was, Oh my God, please don’t let any one we know be on the rig. Thankfully, none of our friends were on the rig. But, it is the exact type of rig that my husband has worked on before. *Note that my husband rarely goes to work on the rigs. He is a business guy and will go on rig every once in awhile, but not to the extent of the other guys in the company.* My second thought was, We have to make sure that the rest of the guys (who work for the company) have enough work because this is going to get bad before it gets better. My third-Great; from what I’ve heard about BP, this is going to be a long process. We know several guys who have worked for and with BP on similar projects and BP is notoriously bad about making decisions and delays.
Of course, I worried about the oil spill’s effect on the economy. I knew the Gulf economy was going to be hit through fishing and tourism as well as a rise in the price of oil. I also knew that there would be a domino effect from the rig workers and engineers that can’t work as a result of the spill. The life of an drill rig worker involves long periods of time on rigs at a moment’s notice. So, most of the wives in the company don’t work. If rigs are not being drilled, this means that these families have no way of bringing income to their homes. We needed to make sure that our guys were taken care of. Thankfully, over the past year, some of the drilling projects the company works on have migrated somewhat out of the Gulf to other areas of the globe. If we can keep working outside the Gulf, we should be fine. It's been an anxious couple of months for me, but I think we should be fine. But, that certainly doesn’t help the other families who work only in the Gulf. It doesn’t help the shrimpers or birds or the thousands of others affected by this mess.
One problem with relying on oil is that obtaining the oil (whether on land or at sea) is dangerous. Inherently dangerous. We have accepted the risk as a society. Until a better solution is discovered, we accept the risks of drilling for oil. There are mechanisms to make drilling somewhat safer and kinder to the environment, but it will never be 100% safe or 100% clean. The Horizon well (if it had been drilled properly) would have been a solid source of oil. From the beginning, it was apparent that the only way to slow the spill was to side drill to siphon off some of the oil. Of course its going to take time to set up a new well. But, it seems like everything should be moving much faster than it is. I heard a news show touting several clean-up solutions that, for whatever reason, have been blocked or denied. We are a very green family. I have been heavily involved in conservation efforts for decades-I was green long before it was cool or trendy. We live with a finite number of resources and we need to protect and preserve what we have. The lack of action cleaning up the spill and protecting the rest of our coastline is maddening.
I think the time is right to start drilling again. However, this time the government should demand full drilling and spill remediation plans from every company seeking to drill. (BP did not have to submit these plans since the government deemed an explosion/spill was low risk!) The remediation plans should be realistic and able to be readily deployed. Many companies are already employing additional testing prior to drilling, and I think that will and should continue. As long as there is demand for oil, there should be investment in oil remediation methods-whether by private or public investment.
I am incredibly sad for the families of the men who went down with Horizon. I am also sad for the families who are in limbo, for the Gulf waters and shore. Most of all I'm mad at BP. I'm not alone feeling sad or mad at the situation. I just hope it resolves quickly-for everyone involved.
Friday Favorite- Lululemon Best Running Skirt Evah!
Lululemon running skirt, today's Friday Favorite.
Love Thursday-Love the Moment
Breathe Deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.
That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least.
Do one thing a day that scares you.
Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle the setbacks.
Your outlook in life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.
The world is changing at such a rapid rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you 2 steps behind. Do it now, Do it Now, Do It Now!
Creativity is maximized when you are living in the moment.
Dance, Sing, Floss, and Travel
The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought.
I’m not sure who is behind Lululemon, but I really like their message. I’ve been thinking of these little mantras ever since I got the bag. It goes back to loving you and loving where you are, who you are at this moment. That’s my Love Thursday- you, the power of you, and how we live this moment.
Another Crafty Piece of Art
I have a blank wall in between the hallway door and the door leading to the master bathroom (above). I realize that the picture above jumps to the finished project, but how boring would a picture of a blank brown wall be? The space has always bugged me, what should I use to decorate there? I saw this sign in a catalog early this Spring and loved it. Not enough to pay over $100 for it, but I loved it. A few days later, I saw a tutorial on younghouselove for their subway sign and thought that method might allow me to mimic the idea of the wooden subway sign.
Once I was happy with the look of the letters, I was ready to mod podge. Those are not air bubbles you see, it is the wood grain underneath. I liked the grainy texture of the wood coming through my piece of paper. If you don't want that to happen, I suggest gluing a piece of cardboard or poster board underneath the paper first.
The final product.Not perfect, but I like it-at least until I add this to the room (um, probably in its place-oops)!
Guest Post-Effortless Anthropologie
Friday Favorite-Anthropologie
I looked at this blouse and missed when it went on sale. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I called Anthropologie customer service and they helped me look through every store until we located a top in my size and color in Louisiana. Called, ordered, shipped (for free). It is now one of my favorite tops.
This dress-will be mine-it is perfection.
The skirt? Again, perfection.
Love Thursday-Family Celebration
Wednesday was my husband's 40th birthday. Since we had a weekend of celebrating and a huge party to plan for next weekend, we had a simple dinner, cake, handmade cards, and balloons. We dined on pizza rolls and chocolate cake. Just the four of us. And, it was nice. We were full of laughter, funny questions, and love. That's what it is all about for us-family. Finding out that it isn't necessary to have a big party or amazing dinner out (though those are nice), it's spending time with those you love most and simply being. Happy Love Thursday.
The Big 4-0
What does your daddy do that makes you laugh ?
E-Tickles
M-Tickle
How old is your daddy?
E- 39
M-29
What is daddy's favorite thing to watch on Tv?
E-Hunting
M- Hunting
What does your daddy do when you are not around?
E-Go hunting
M-Eat
If your daddy becomes famous, what will it be for?
E- Hunting
M-Go hunting
What is your daddy really good at?
E- Hunting (notice a trend?)
M- Food
What does your daddy do for his job?
E-Uh,work
M- Computer
What is your daddy's favorite food?
E- Salad
M- Meat
Where is your daddy's favorite place to go?
E- Lowe's
M-Tool store
How do you know your daddy loves you?
E- When I laugh
M-So Much
What does your mommy love about your daddy?
E-I don't know
M-I love you so much
Fun, Fun, Birthday Fun.
He's an easy man to please-give him a fun weekend kicking back with friends on a ranch in Texas and he's happy. What makes you most happy? If you haven't had your 4oth birthday-do you have any fun plans? I think mine will be lazing on a beach somewhere.