Talk To Me!

Hey Talkers!

I'll start posting the next Talk to Me Tuesdays so you can auto publish yours if you like. I'm super excited about next week's! (You can thank Tab for the idea!)

This week's TTMT:

What are you looking forward to this Christmas season?

I'm looking forward to a break from work! I have a two week break from school and a few weeks off from photos. I LOVE doing photos but two full-time jobs is time consuming. Even when it's something that you love, it's work!

I'm looking forward to Christmas music (or continuing it). sleeping by the Christmas tree. mom's cooking. and (almost) homemade Christmas. I can't wait!!

Next Week's TTMT:

What are some of your favorite things? (Think Oprah)

remix | 21

Day 21. Again- feeling like a cheat with the stretchy pants. Definitely feels like a pajama day. Especially with an unbelted dress. Of course an unbelted dress means hiding in your room so you don't get the 'are you pregnant?' question. Or even worse, the 'are you finally pregnant?' question. Really guys- you really, really shouldn't ask that one. Ahem.

Day 21:

Scarf: Old Navy outlet on super clearance

Shirt dress: Old Navy (you guessed it... $8)

Shirt: Gap

Leggings: Kohl's

Socks: Target (they never get old. Wish I had them in more colors!)

Boots: Madden Girl (in case anyone had missed them... since I hadn't worn them in SIX days. shocking. no, really. I'm not actually being sarcastic. this time.)

Day 20

Day 20 of the remix. Another Thanksgiving get together. No stretchy pants this time. ;)

Shirt: Gap

Sweater: Gap

Necklace: {created by} heidi (remember this post?)

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Gap Outlet

remix 19

I actually did wear a hat (almost) all day today. So this photo isn't that deceiving. I did not, however, wear those shoes most of the day. (But pairing them with the outfit here makes it a legitimate remix day, right?) ;) In my defense- I was working. I generally do change into Toms for photo sessions. They are basically essential to my official work uniform. Or something like that.

Day 19 of 30.

Friday. Black Friday that is. Do you shop it? I've only tried once. Last year. I failed miserably and did not enjoy it one bit. Cyber Monday is much more my speed. We did have to venture out to Wal-Mart last night and it was comical to see the big deals all wrapped up in saran wrap with notes saying you couldn't purchase them until 12:01 am. Mom, Mo & I ventured out to Harvest Barn this morning. We spent the $50 gift card (speaking of which- I have free fudge for all you voters out there... stop by and get some!). There wasn't a crowd (were you expecting there to be?). Before heading home, I did a couple local photo sessions. It was so fun, as they were both returning clients. That's where the Toms come in. I really do need them for photo sessions. At least that's my excuse for wearing them when I inexcusably left them off my 30 list. Live and learn. Live and learn.

notes from the remix

Another (sort of) week down (yes I go in sets of 6 instead of weeks because they line up better in photoshop). This week I learned: I don't have to pack multiple options of clothing to go on short trips away from home. I like to wear boots in the winter. A lot. I like comfy pants. Too much. The camera is not as nice as the mirror.

catch up.... 17-18

I'm home. We had a good Thanksgiving. I have a million things to do around the house. A hundred blogs to read. But I'm remix posting instead.

And these two photos aren't really good ones (I'll explain soon) but they do represent that I did in fact put together outfits from my 30 on days 17 and 18.

Wednesday. Early out. Dodging ice on the drive to back home.

This photo is me questioning the ruffles/rags combo. As soon as I got to work I tucked the shirt in and opted to wear the belt around the waist instead. Ask LC- it looked better that way. :)

Thursday. Thanksgiving. Comfy pants a necessity. I didn't actually wear this hat. And I wasn't actually in this room. I R took this photo tonight after we got home. Yes- I grabbed those clothes out of the dirty laundry bag and threw them on for a 30/30 opt. Is there a dedication award that I'm now in the running for? ;) I'm hoping my shirt wasn't actually that wrinkled when I wore it the first time around. And my hair was definitely not that greasy. I hope.

so blessed.

Life. Family. Friends. Faith. Love. R. Kids. Food. Home. Work. Laughter. Technology. Blankets. Tickles. Color. Art. Niece. Nephews. Pumpkin Pie. Snuggles. Music. Mashed Potatoes. Smiles. Dakota. Grace. Forgiveness. Second Chances. New Beginings. Photography. Basketball. Fun. Touch. Love. Life. Blessings.

so thankful.

happy thanksgiving.

Tuesday.... sort of

Tuesday flew right by and the TTMT (talk to me) never posted.... what? I got on to check my scheduled posts and there's a very good reason that it never posted....

it was never written.

oops.

Today's talk to me Tuesday (er Wednesday) is what question(s) would you ask for ttmt? Comment, message, email them to me sometime before next week and I'll get a TTMT schedule up so we can all auto publish your ttmt posts! (After we actually write them that is....)

Happy Tuesday Wednesday! Happy Thanksgiving!! Make it a great day!

16 of 30 down.

Today was easy. (Never-mind the fact that it was easy because I copied it from this outfit put together yesterday by Kels.) And I used a tee today. A $3 tee. Aren't you proud? ;)

Scarf: That shop in Valley Junction that I still can't think of the name of.

Sweater: Target

Shirt: Gap (Yes, it's one of the $3 buys!)

Jeans: Kohl's

Boots: Ugg

Comfy. Casual. Copied. It doesn't get much easier than that.

remix | 15

Did anybody else have 'Living on a Prayer' stuck in their head today? We're halfway there!

Work. Meeting. Meeting II. Sister in town. Editing. (Well..... blogging. But I promise to edit as soon as I post this! Well... as soon as I post this and put in some orders and reply to some emails. Then I'll edit. Promise. Maybe.)

Day 15:

Sweater: Target

Shirt: Gap

Necklace: {created by} heidi (Somebody asked if that was a real business. No. It's just me. And I'm just making fun of my photo blog... {captured by} heidi. Corny? Yes.)

Jeans: Express

Boots: Ugg (I've been wearing them this way to look less like everyone else that has them. Plus I don't so much like them folded over anymore. The 'flap' look doesn't work on me.)

Happy halfway point, remixers!

remix | 14

Day 14 of the remix. I'm noticing I repeat some items. A lot. And there's other items I've yet to touch. I'd like to swap them out. (Really- who puts a tee into the remix when winter is on it's way in? Not me. I put in two.) Is that a legal remix move?

Day 14:

Hat: Wet Seal (same impulse buying day as the necklace from there- they're good at strategically placing super cheap clearance items!)

Sweater: Gap

Shirt: Fossil

Necklace: {created by} heidi

Skirt: Target

Leggings: Kohl's (Simply Vera)

Boots: Madden Girl (I saw in the Younkers ad they are on sale again this week!)

You Should Know

You should know.....

If you are a friend, if you say it in love, if you care,

and you've said something you think may have been hurtful,

what matters most isn't what you say

it's where your heart is.

Knowing that you care

is more important

than having the right words.

Being a friend.

a prayer warrior.

a shoulder.

there.

Is more important

than what you say.

than having answers.

And I love you for that.

notes from the remix

Once upon a time I started the 30 for 30 challenge. I mapped out a few outfits. I felt pretty confident that I could easily come up with the rest I needed to make it to 30. I stuck that list someplace 'safe' so I could refer back to it when I was all out of ideas from just looking in the closet. I lost that list. I now need that list. Or maybe I just need to do laundry. :S

Remix in review: (Sorry if this is redundant to you but it's really helpful for me to see what not to do again!) :)

11, 12, 13 [remix]

I'm changing gears big time from yesterday. In lotsa ways.

1.) I'm not sharing all today.

(But THANK YOU for all the encouragement. Every comment, bb message, email, facebook message, phone call, text, really made my day. It means a lot to me to know that I am covered in pray. I have a couple of friends that would covet those same prayers if you can. Love you guys!)

2.) Remixing and vomiting don't work the best. (More on that later.)

3.) I felt (and looked) way better today. Heres the proof:

Day 11:

Work, after school club, 2 photo sessions.

Headband: {created by} heidi (in a last minute 3 minute furry)

Sweater: NY&C

Shirt: Gap

Belt: ??? thinking.... I can't remember??

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Buckle

Brooch: Grandma Helen's

It wasn't a great day. I didn't feel good. I had some crummy stuff at work on top of that. And I know these photos don't prove it, but in real life I was having a good hair day. Ask Mrs. H. (In her words: "Well at least your hair looks good!") :)

Day 12:

Blogging/Email (I was really just waiting for my sub to approve)

Sleeping. Sleeping. More sleeping. Quick photo session. Vomiting. (Don't worry- it was from a migraine- not contagious. I would have rescheduled if it was a bug!) And more sleeping.

In R's words: "You are a grease ball. You can't expect good photos when you're a grease ball."

He's right. But I had on a 30/30 and needed to document it! :)

Sweater: Target

Shirt Dress: American Apparel

Leggings: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's (LOVE them! Comfy enough to sleep in all day!) :)

Shoes: Gap

Day 13: Feeling MUCH better today. Slept in late. Did some editing. Picked up some goods for (almost) homemade Christmas and for our food pantry bags that are due tomorrow. Editing. Catching up on blogging.

Headband: {created by} heidi

Sweatshirt: J Crew (on clearance- wish I would have bought it in every color!)

Dress: fab'rik

Belt: NY&C

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Madden Girl

Loved this dress but had only worn it once to a New Years wedding a few years ago. Added it to the 30 mix in hopes of finding new ways to wear it! Why is it that when you buy a pricey dress you wait for special occasions to wear it? (Or is that just me?) Today was my special occasion... I felt well enough to get out of bed for awhile! :)

This Cross

I'm home today. Again. I've had people question it. And while I don't feel the need to defend myself to them, I do feel like talking (well not really, but I feel like Someone is tugging at me to).

I've missed for a lot of reasons. Migraines. Bronchitis. Sinus infection. Autoimmune issues. Scheduling a tonsillectomy. Infertility.

Did you catch that? I tried to slip it in, hoping it might go unnoticed. I've been trying to do that for awhile now. But Someone keeps telling me He's given me this blog outlet for a reason and that maybe it's time I use it to support someone else. I don't know who that someone else is. It seems like everyone I know is perfectly fertile. (That's not true and to my dear friends that are struggling- I love you. I get it. I do. And I'm guessing you feel the same way about "everyone" sometimes.)

So. There it is. It's out there. You are welcome to stop reading now.

But.

But if you want to know how I really feel (and it's ugly). Go right ahead. But you cant say I didn't warn you to proceed with caution.

Please don't tell me that it will happen in God's time. I know God has perfect timing. And perfect plans. But I don't believe His perfect plans are the same for everyone. How can you know what God's perfect plan for my life is?

Please don't tell me what a great mother I would be. Please don't tell me what a great dad R would be. I'd like to think that's true. But since my body feels the need to kill off any chance of a baby, I already feel like a terrible mother. And if we never get that chance- that hurts to think about. It hurts when I'm working with kids and they call me mom. It hurts when my niece is playing and calls me mom. It hurts when you tell me I'd be a good mom. It hurts.

Please don't tell me to just adopt. "Just" adopt? Really? Have you looked into it? Do you know anything about it? Have you been told that you aren't going to be able to get a loan for it? Adoption has been on my heart since I was little. I've always wanted to adopt. Then reality hit and the truth is it's hard. But let's make a deal. You can tell me to "just" adopt then R and I will work through the emotional, heartbreaking end of it and you can work out the $30,000 end of it. Thanks.

Please forgive me when I cry as you complain about your pregnancy. And your bratty kids. And what a pain your pregnancy and bratty kids are. I hope that someday I get it.

I got an email from my MIL this week. I deleted it so this is going to be a (probably really bad) version of it. But it was something like this.....

This guy was bearing a huge cross. It was so heavy so he pleaded with God to make his load lighter to bear. He kept sawing his cross down shorter and shorter. Then, he got to a canyon. The people with him on the journey were able to lay their heavy crosses down across the canyon and use them as a bridge to get over that part of the journey. His cross was just too short.

I look at that and think there must be a reason God wants me in this place in my life. And I know He is preparing me for something big.

My friend and I were just talking about how it feels like we're being punished. I know God doesn't work that way. But. Then I read in His Word about what a blessing from God children are. It's hard not to feel punished.

So there it is. That's the ugly.

But you should know it hasn't always been ugly. The last three years have been a roller coaster. There are days when I've honestly talked to God and have been okay with it. I've told Him to ruin me. To break me. To carry out His Will in my life. I guess he was listening then because He's been working overtime since. You would think He'd take a break when I was crying in the middle of the mall. He didn't.

Surely He's preparing me for something BIG.

I'm Yours

I've seen this on so many blogs now, I had to share it.

Check out this video. And be sure to watch his sweet little face. :)

{cb}h

Here's a little ditty from {cb}h (that's created by this time).

It was a Monday night. I was in the middle of another working evening. My brain needed a break.

I'd been wanting to test out some craft ideas for our (almost) homemade Christmas event (I'm SOOOO excited about it, y'all!). And we are going to be in need of some wall art in the near future. (That's the only current hint you get about that project.)

So I grabbed an old sweater. One I love. One that has memories attached. One that's just a little too snug for me these days.

I scuffed up one of those frames from another project idea (they've been laying around since we got engaged waiting to be used for a last name project..... I figured that wasn't happening anytime soon and I could steal from that project's pile...).

I stuck a little ditty on the little (as in too little) sweater and stuck it in the frame.

Materials needed:

A sweater that doesn't fit you anymore (or does. I'm not picky)

A frame

A little ditty of sorts

Glue gun

Sewing shears (I kid. I couldn't find mine and used my pampered chef shears instead.... don't tell on me.)

10 minutes.

Yup... that's all. 10 minutes. Or less if your glue gun heats up faster than mine. Or more if you choose to be careful and make sure your sweater isn't in the frame backwards. Whatever.

So go forth. Make some little ditties. (Oh- and this isn't making the (almost) homemade Christmas cut so you'll have to do it on your own if you want one!)

{wb}h [remix] 9/30 AND 10/30

No post yesterday. That happens when you work 7am-10:30pm.

I'm going with absence makes the heart grow fonder. Er something like that...

Yesterday's remix:

Shirt: Gap

Sweater: Gap

Necklace: Limited (I think?)

Skirt: Target

Leggings: Express

Socks: Target

Boots: Madden Girl

It was somewhere around my 15th first day of school (as a teacher that is- and you are correct, I'm much too young to have been teaching 15 years... I get multiple groups in a year). I changed into a jeans and Toms for this evening's photo sessions. Imagine that striped shirt, boyfriend jeans, those grey socks, ash Toms. Super comfy. Very work appropriate. :)

Today's Remix:

Sweater: Target

Shirt: Buckle

Belt: NY&Co

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Madden Girl

I don't normally bust out the jeans on only the second day of class.... but I had exhausted my dress supply for conferences. (That's my story anyway.)

I'm being interviewed tonight. Some DMACC students are coming to interview me about careers. Because of this, I haven't even changed into my normal 'editing uniform' yet. But that is what I'll be doing this evening. And that is what I plan to change into. asap.

How's your remix going? Are you getting into a remixing rut yet? And maybe if you're bored with yours you can look at mine and help me out? :)

Talk To Me! the 4th

This week's question comes from Lisa. (I'm thinking at one point, we'll get around to answering all of everyone's questions and you're going to have to post new ones for me!)

What were you like as a student in school?

This one was appropriate for me this week because R&I were talking about this very thing today (well, Saturday when I originally typed this).

What I remember myself being like as a student and what my teachers might remember are probably very different...... but from my point of view.....

In elementary school I was pretty quiet. Did EVERYTHING I was supposed to do and didn't question it. (Well. Except maybe reading time in Kindergarten when I pretended to still be napping.)

Then I had an amazing 6th grade teacher that encouraged me to speak up (he would have probably recalled it more as trying to get to to shut up.... ha). From that point on I was a little more vocal in and out of the classroom.

School had usually come easy to me, so at times I was a little bored and may have made things a little interesting sometimes. Though, most of those memories involve the same person so maybe it was more them than me. ;) I won't mention any names though.....

In junior high/high school I was involved in most of the activities our school offered. My most memorable moments and most educational from school involve times that I wasn't even in the school building. (Big Booty in the 'borrowed' school van may not have been educational I guess... but it sure was memorable! Who knew those CB radios had a direct line to the superintendent's office?)

I currently keep a photo of me in 8th grade Home Ec to remind me of what I was like then and what was important to me then. I catch myself referring to it if I'm having a difficult time figuring a student out or why they did something. Chances are- I did it once too!

So what about you? What were you like in school? Go ahead and answer in the comments or link us up to your post on it!

{wb}h [remix] 8/30

Happy Monday! (Whats left of it!)

I feel like my 30/30s have been less inspired but maybe it's just because they've been less intentional. I've been grabbing shirts and throwing belts around them and calling it good. I need to do some laundry and take a look at what's there again!

Here's Monday's version of the 30/30. Two 30/30 Mondays down- 3ish to go!

Shirt: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

Belt: NY&C (again)

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Madden Girl (again)

Scarf: Kohl's- $3!!!

Thanks for all the nice scarf comments. If you are remixing it this month, leave your link here too. Some of you leave such sweet comments but I can't get to your blog.

Oh. I almost forgot. Hey, Elle! Email me so I can send you a $3 scarf, too! Hope it makes it into your 30 mix!

{wb}h [remix] 7/30

Today was a grab and go kinda day. I grabbed a comfy shirt (I knew I had a newborn session this afternoon so I wanted something I could move in) and threw a sweater over it. I fell asleep in the car on the way home from church and these pictures were taken right after I got up (normally on Sunday's we find a fun outdoor spot after church- it was too cold and we had too much to do today).

Awhile back, my friend and I were talking about how we couldn't wear the 'skinny' with anything other than boots. I've been trying to venture out since that conversation.

So here's #7 of the {worn by} heidi [remix]. In one word: comfy.

Sweater: Target

Shirt dress: Old Navy

Necklace: {created by} heidi

Belt: Old Navy Outlet

Jeans: Kohl's

Shoes: Gap Outlet

{recommended by} heidi

After I posted an (almost) handmade Christmas ideas, I started thinking about people that purchase big ticket Christmas gifts (for the record- we are not those people). I was thinking about some of our best investments over the last few years and thought I'd share. Most of these are things we had wanted forever before we actually got them. These are some of our favorite things (did you sing that?). Zero buyer's remorse included.

1. DSLR camera
Specifically the Canon T1i. It's not a professional camera but it's not a point and shoot either. There's lots of versatility with it (lens wise) and I take it with me 99% of the time.

2. Navigation system for the car
Neither of our cars have a built in system so the portable version was great for us. It's been a huge time (and dare I say life?) saver for us. Can't imagine driving in a new city without one now.

3. King Size bed
We didn't even have a queen before so our upgrade from a full to a king was huge. Huge. HUGE. Really. This was such a good investment. We'll never regret it!

4. Kelly Moore bag
R wouldn't put this on his list but it's definitely on mine! Best purse camera bag I ever had. Okay. Fine. So I use it as a purse. But can you blame me? It's adorable (I have both the grey hobo and the mustard messenger- the hobo is by far my fave). It's pockets are amazing for anyone that lives out of their purse. And it protects your camera. What more could you ask for? And since there's little compartments inside- it's a super fast switch for me to go from everyday use to a photo session. I absolutely love it! I think the messenger one would make a good diaper bag too!

5. Sectional
Yup. I'm putting a couch on the list. It's a U-shape sectional with a chaise on one end. It's comfy. I think it looks nice but not too nice so you still feel comfortable on it. I like it. A lot. (Once I got over the coffee table issue and found the perfect 'coffee table' I loved it a lot more!)

6. Toms
You know the ones. The ones I wear pretty much everyday. That is until the 30 for 30 started and I didn't put them on the list. Yeah. I don't know how that happened either. Really. I'm still debating switching out another item for a pair of them.
Seriously. They are super comfy. Versatile. Amazing. What's awesome is I got a pair on sale for $20. What's even better is since they give a pair when you buy a pair- it was like 2 for $20. Can't beat that!
I want them in a couple other colors but since we are being good about not spending and all I have to pass. For now.
Oh- and if you plan to buy some, I know they say to stick to your regular size but all of mine are 1/2 size bigger. I think some people's look too stretched out and I've had no problems with mine being too big. They kinda form around your feet.

7. Pampered Chef Knife Set
It's one of the few PC purchases I've made (we were blessed to have a PC wedding shower and I've also earned most everything else PC that we have). We, of course, got the good deal on the set and it was worth it. I never knew what a decent knife cut like. It was life changing. Or something like that.

And I'd say my computer would make the list but I'm afraid that would jinx it and Macxine (that's her name) would crash on me. I would like to bring her little Pro nephew home one of these days. But not for long long while.



So there's my list. What would make yours??

This Week [of remixing] I Learned....

That I actually do have something to wear.

That alone has been huge for me. I didn't stare into my closet one single time this week and think (or whine aloud to R) that I had nothing to wear. It was a big time saver. And I'm sure R appreciated it too.

Week one is down and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I liked most of the outfits. I don't think I'll wear #1 that way again but it did it's job for conferences. #5 is super comfy and super 'me.' I'll definitely be a 'cheater cheater outfit repeater' with it when the remix is over (if not before). And I like #6, though I wish I would have gone with a steady/tried/true pack of Target ts instead of the American Apparel version. I was expecting (for the price) a white shirt I could wear that wouldn't be see thru. I was wrong. Definite fail on that internet purchase. But the $3 scarf makes up for it, right? :) (You can still leave some blog love on #6 if YOU want a $3 scarf, too!)

Here's to one week of remixing down! How did yours go??

{wb}h [remix] 6/30 (The One With The Giveaway)

Today's remix inspired by another remixer's khaki on white from earlier in the week.

It was another chilly day. My bro wanted help picking out a winter coat so R&I met him for lunch and then headed to the mall. After my recent battles with my own winter coat's zipper issues, I was in the market as well. So in the name of full disclosure- I purchased something today. In my defense..... coats don't count as part of the 30 items and I did a favor for anyone that would ever have to be around me in the even that it was cold and I was outside. Without a workable winter coat. So yes. I purchased a coat today.
Thanks. I knew you wouldn't mind! And yes. I'll post pictures oneofthesedays.

So. Here's {worn by} heidi [the remix] version 6.0
On a Saturday afternoon. What can be much better than that?

Well... I'm glad you asked.
What could be much better than a Saturday afternoon?
A cute, warm scarf that only cost $3!
Yup. You heard me right. It was only $3. Of course I thought of you when I bought it. I knew if you were shopping with me that day that you would have purchased the same one. And we could be all twinkies like. Or not.
Either way- you definitely would have bought the scarf.

So you know what I did? I bought it for you! (Well... one of you anyway...)
Leave me some comment love today (or you know, when you read this). I'll give one of you this scarf. Well not this exact one. But the one I bought that still has the $3 marked price tag on it.

Shirt dress: American Apparel
Sweater: NY&Co
Belt: NY&Co (yes, again)
Jeans: Gap Skinny
Boots: Madden Girl (yes, again)
Earrings: Target (I was holding my hair like that so you could see them....) ;)
Scarf: Kohl's- $3!!

wbh remix 5/30

It's raining. and cold. But thankfully not cold enough for it to be snowing! :)
We were out and about today but only long enough to run from the car to the buildings and back to the car again (did I tell you it was cold?).

Inside pictures it is.

We headed to the basement studio for photos.

I could stop there and pretend that we planned a 'studio shot' trying for a fancy schmancy shot but the truth is we had company and our house is a mess. A wreck. A really. really. really bad one. This was the only clean corner of my house. And even it needs vacuumed. (Seriously- anyone found good recommendations for a house cleaner for me yet?)

And with that.
{worn by}heidi [the remix] #5!


Boyfriend sweater: Target
Shirt: Fossil
Necklace: Wet Seal (impulse $3 at the counter in line while Christmas shopping last year....)
Jeans: Express
Boots: Madden Girl (yes.... again)

What's your weather like? Is it sweaters and boots or dresses (sans jeans style)? I'm completely jealous of a lot of the remixer's weather situations right now but I really cant complain. It could be way worse for us this time of year.

{WB}h remix 4 of 30

Do you keep the same outfit on from sunrise to sunset?
(Okay.... normally I do. Unless I've already changed into sweats for the night before the sunsets...)
But not today.
Conferences this morning (done. and DONE.). Photo sessions this afternoon. Dinner this evening.
Conferences and rolling on the ground with babies don't really call for quite the same outfit.... so do I get to count this as remix #4 AND #5?

I didn't think so.


Anyway. #4!

Basketball Lessons 4

And from John Wooden (one of R's favorites!!):

"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming."

"Don't worry about being better than somebody else, but never cease trying to be the best you can be. You have control over that, not the other."

7 Point Creed:

1. Be true to yourself.

2. Help others.

3. Make each day your masterpiece.

4. Drink deeply from good books, including the Good Book.

5. Make friendship a fine art.

6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.

7. Pray for guidance, count and give thanks for your blessings each day.

2 sets of 3s:

1. Never lie.

2. Never cheat.

3. Never steal.

1. Don't whine.

2. Don't complain.

3. Don't make excuses.

{WB}h remix 3 of 30

I got more coworker comments today. Not all of them bad this time. :)


Dress: Gap
Sweater: Gap
Necklace 1: Wet Seal (but I put forever 21. I was wrong. And I'm too lazy to change it.)
Necklace 2: Premier
Belt: NY&C
Leggings: Express
Socks: Target
Boots: Madden Girl

Here's the nitty gritty on #3:
The Good: Pockets in the dress. Who doesn't love that?
The Bad: Pockets in the dress. AND the sweater. My hands had too many choices today.
The Ugly: The bags under the eyes. I blame conference week. (But don't worry, we're almost done... jeans here I come!!!)

What'd you wear today?!?!

Basketball Lessons 3

The Simple Faith

The Fruit of Silence is Prayer

THe Fruit of Prayer is Faith

The Fruit of Faith is Love

The Fruit of Love is Service

The Fruit of Service is Peace of Mind

{wb}h remix 2 of 30

Day Two.

Still conference week. (read: still no jeans)

R told me I looked like a school girl getting pictures taken before the first day of school.

A teacher that shall remain nameless said "Well that's quite the look."

My ISU student kept track of the number of my colleagues that stared at my socks as they talked to me today.

I got them (the socks, not the coworkers) to wear with my boots but I liked the pattern enough to wear them without. Apparently I'm the only one that liked them.

Wait. Apparently I'm the only one under 50 in my building.

Just kidding. I'm not really the only one under 50. And I really do like the ones over 50. Really. I do. Really!

And no. I don't grab my face for every photo. This time I'm pulling my bangs out of the face. My husband has more of a photojournalistic approach....

{worn by} heidi remix 2 of 30:

Shirt: Gap
Necklace: {created by} heidi (that's me)
Belt: NY&Co
Skirt: Target!
Socks: Target
Shoes: Buckle

Talk To Me! x3

TTMT V3.0

This week's question comes from Smith Family Blog:

If you could tell your teenage self anything, what would it be?

I love this one!

My answer this week:

Hey, 14yo Heids (you don't recognize that nickname now, but one day a man that loves you very much will call you that)-

I know you don't believe me, but life is great. YOU are God's child. He loves you just because. It's okay that you don't have it all figured out right now- 15 years from now, you still wont. But you are loved. And you matter. And the best way to help yourself right now is to help others. It's gonna be hard but it's going to be so worth it. Keep at it. Spend more time with grandma. Bake with her. Listen to her stories. Write them down. Remember these moments. Take pictures. And don't forget I love you.

PS. Pay attention in Spanish. You may think it's worthless now but one day you'll wish you knew it.

Okay. Your turn!

Basketball Lessons 2

Who am I?

I am a child of God (Romans 8:16)

I am an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)

I am a temple of God and God's spirit lives in me (I Corinthians 3:16)

I am a new creation (II Corinthians 5:20)

I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

I am a saint in Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:1)

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I am one of God's chosen people..dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)

I am a stranger in the world (I Peter 2:11)

I am an enemy of the devil (I Peter 5:8)

{WB}H 1/30

I did mention accessories and the such don't count as part of the 30, right? That is such a good thing because leggings are going to get me through conference week this week! And yes, I re-wore the blue shirtdress already. Don't worry- we didn't have students today. Just parents. And they didn't see the blue shirt dress last week so it was new to them. (And thanks to needing clean laundry to pick my 30 items, laundry actually did get done and it was clean. This time.)

{WB}H (that's {worn by} heidi in case you are new around these parts*) (I'm starting a new count) 1 of 30.

*in case you are new around these parts- welcome!

Shirt Dress: Old Navy $8 (Yes, I'm telling you again!) :)

Belt: From a Forever 21 dress that was less than $15. I'm not sure how much but I'm sure it was less than that because I never spend more than $15 on something from Forever 21. (What? It's cute, I know. But seriously- how many times can you wear/wash something from there before it falls apart?)

Shoes: Gap flats (probably the outlet- I can't remember for sure)

Leggings: Lauren Conrad by Kohls. I actually ran in "right quick" to grab some leggings to get me through conference week. These knit ones were on the clearance rack for $9. You know that feeling like you are going to get in trouble for wearing your pajama pants to work? That was so me today. LOVE them. I don't normally wear black but I may have to start just for these (I couldn't find them in any other colors). These are Uh Maze Ing. Really. Just go get a pair. Unless of course you are here for the 30 for 30. In that case- no shopping. (I'm just kidding. I wont tell on you.)

Happy Monday!

PS- YES that was taken this morning!!! It may get dark out early but at least it's light as I'm leaving the house now! Yay!!!

Basketball Lessons

It's conference week. Meaning I wont see much of R and I wont be blogging.

Cue the week of auto-posts. :)

R went to the basketball clinic over Halloween Weekend. He really enjoyed one of the coaches from this year, Don Meyer. I'm going to share from some of the handouts that Coach Meyer had for them.

Live beneath your means.

Return everything you borrow.

Stop blaming other people.

Admit it when you make a mistake.

Give clothes you don't wear to charity.

Do something nice and try not to get caught.

Listen more; talk less.

Every day take a 30 minute walk.

Strive for excellence, not perfection.

Be on time.

Don't make excuses.

Don't argue.

Get organized.

Be kind to kind people.

Be kind to unkind people.

Let someone cut ahead of you in line.

Take time to be alone.

Reread your favorite book.

Cultivate good manners.

Be humble.

Realize and accept that life isn't fair.

Know when to keep your mouth shut.

Go an entire day without criticizing anyone.

Learn from the past.

Plan for the future.

Live in the present.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

It's all small stuff.

30 for 30

I'm so excited (okay, I'm full of it... I'm actually nervous) to be doing the 30 for 30 this month!

Snappy Casual introduced me to Kendi Everyday and I'm in awe of her ability to take 30 pieces of clothing (that includes the shoes) and make them into outfits for 30 days.

Mostly because somewhere, somehow, sometime,* over the course of the last few years, my idea of a new outfit is a different shirt for the day. I fell into a routine of pairing plain, boring shirts with jeans and calling it good for the day. My days of loaning out clothes and dishing out fashion advice had come to an end and I started spending morning after morning staring into my closet thinking I had nothing to wear.

I'm excited (really this time) about the 30 for 30 because I'm hoping to learn to shop my own closet. No shopping for 30 days (not that I would have been able to shop anyway!) and no borrowing from the other end of the closet. Through this, I'm hoping I'll stop missing shopping so much and start seeing what I already have in a different way!

30 items. 30 days. Here we go.

My 30

And this little diddy in white (ordered Sat. should be here this week... it was purchased with cbh money..... it will make me a human reflector. ha):

(Coats, accessories and the like are not counted in the 30. I'm thinking long underwear are a freebie too.)

PS- The process of choosing items was my 'big' project of the weekend. (But I'm almost feeling great, really I am) During the process, I filled up a big bag of clothes to pass along. If you know anyone my size (who am I kidding... most of them were too small) that may want them, have them get ahold of me! R is liking this challenge so far! :)

*somewhere, somehow, sometime is actually when we were apartment living and started planning a wedding. Money that used to go towards a clothing budget was getting kicked into the wedding fund. Once we got married, clothes money paid for vacation. then a house. then stuff for the house. Then when I tried to explain to R why I desperately needed a clothing budget, he didn't get it because I hadn't spent money on clothing over the past few years- why should I start now. So my clothing style changed dramatically. I'm taking it back (minus the money that I used to spend on it)!

Last One Before the Challenge Starts....

Tomorrow I'm starting the 30 for 30 Challenge (I'll put another post up soon). I knew these shorts wouldn't be in my top 30 but I wanted to wear them at some point this year so I was really hoping to get them worn this weekend. It wasn't looking good, as yesterday I was still bumming on the couch all day, but we made it to church today and I got to wear my pants shorts. I've really, really, really been wanting a pair of the trouser shorts that are everywhere right now but I knew they weren't a practical investment for me. I also had this cute pair of trousers that had gotten just a little too short to wear with any sort of dress shoe.

You see where I'm going with this right?

Trousers+scissors+a quick stitch to sew the hem back on=something similar to those cute $88 Anthropologie Shorts. I wish I would have paired them with a button up and a belt but when you're sick, you're sick and getting out the door becomes a feat in itself. (I am feeling MUCH better though. Just exhausted!)

So anyway. Above is my inspiration (via Anthro) and below is my version of the pants shorts. Not bad for a no cost edit.

Ruffle Shirt- Gap

Brown Shirt- Express

Tights- Old Navy

Heels- Steve Madden

Clutch- Avon. Yep. You read that right. My mom used to get all kinds of free bags and we'd fight over them. I've had this one somewhere around 8 years.

Up Next: 30 for 30!!

(Almost) Homemade Christmas

A friend asked me about crafty Christmas gifts. It made me realize she is way more on the ball than me!!!! With less than 50 days till Christmas, the countdown is on for a handmade (or at least, thoughtful) Christmas.

I searched my blog for ideas first.

Know any little ones?

These little hats are always easy, cute, and customizable. And who doesn't love em right now?

Cute onesies or little shirts require very little stitching (the shirts could even be done without stitching) and are super customizable.

My niece and nephew both love the super hero cape.

The Ugly Dolls are always cute!

Need something for a friend (or family member) of the taller variety?

Easy (and cheap) to make cake (or cookie) stands filled with homemade treats of course. Last time I was at Goodwill I wanted to stock up on the plethora of candlesticks they had that would be perfect for this project.

These ornaments are always fun to get little ones to make (as a top secret project, of course) then to give to their mommas, grandmas, etc.

Take an old window and turn it into something new. My favorite is the magnetic photo/card holder. And I get so many compliments on it when people come in the front door. It's cheap ($7.99) and people think it costs a lot more. You could make customizable magnets to go with it! (I still have a few windows from my sister's house if anyone needs one.) The smaller version of the magnet board can be made with a picture frame.

The necklace/jewelry holder is an easy craft. Every time I'm at my sister's I wish I would've made one for myself.

Do you sew? This scarf (no knitting required) got a lot of use last year. (I have a new idea for one this year but so far have been afraid to cut my fabric...)

A lot of people are getting DSLR cameras. Why not give them some bling for their camera strap?

No camera? How bout some bling for their neck? (You can borrow my stamping kit!)

A few years ago (we were either building our house or saving for a wedding- I just remember we were POOR), I took wine bottles, filled them with white Christmas lights, painted them with snowmen (and other winter scenes) and gave the decorated wine bottle to most of our family. Christmas decorations are nice because it's not something a lot of people care to spend a lot of money on and they are only out for a short time so they don't get too bored with it (and they don't feel guilty putting away your gift at the end of the season).

For my secret santa at work, I usually stitch together a corn pillow. Similar to the Wuv It- you can heat it and use it for aches and pains. I have a couple of the heat packs and love them!

Homemade goodies never get turned away. Put them on a cute serving tray or bowl and earn extra points. Last year I jarred up some homemade cocoa mix, attached the recipe and some Pampered Chef bamboo spoons (that I had 'earned' from a party) and my secret Santa was set.

Coupons are cheesy, but still thoughtful and super helpful. My cousin gave my uncle a meal a month one year. I was jealous. Maybe you aren't crafty but you can cook? Maybe you can't cook but love to clean? Maybe you don't like anything domestic but you can at least keep someone's kids alive while they go on a date night? Meal, house cleaning, and babysitting coupons aren't a bad idea.

Last year my mom got me a $5 subscription to Midwest Living. I don't get any other magazines so I really appreciate getting this in the mail (plus who doesn't love getting something other than a bill in the mail every once in awhile) and every time it comes I think of mom.

And of course I have to say that photos are always a good gift. The canvases are my most favorite right now (though not cheap or handmade) but there are less expensive routes to coming up with photo gifts. And when Shutterfly is giving away free photo books- that's a great time to get a photo book for someone.

Hopefully I'll have some new crafts after this year's Christmas.

Good luck with your handmade Christmas (or your shopping)!! Less than 50 days to go.....

This post has me wanting to host a homemade Christmas craft day! Who's in!?? :)

WBH

I don't have three outfits today. Just one. It's yesterday's. Today I'm in grey scrubby pants and a long underwear shirt (oh, you call them yoga pants and thermal tops? okay. whatever). Tomorrow, if I'm lucky, I'll change and put on an ISU shirt. So I'm just going to post yesterday's. Before I forget about it. Excuse me while I go hack up a little more gunk and crawl under the blankets. (Was that tmi?)

{worn by} heidi:

hair clip- {CB}H ({created by}heidi)

shirt dress- Old Navy- $8

belt- NY&C

jeans- Gap buy

boots- Madden Girl buy (only don't buy them online. use a Younkers coupon and get them for CHEAP!)

Not My Most Inspired Choices... but I'm posting anyway

Are you a morning person? (Or are you at least not working at some point during daylight hours?) Do you do your hair and make-up most days? If you said yes, you would be way better at the {worn by} posts than me. It's not easy being on the other side of the camera (but you probably already knew that).

(It's not easy figuring out what to wear when you feel like sleeping in sweat pants all day. And it's not easy getting a picture of what you did choose when you are trying to decide which way is the best to hold your head and not drip snot on yourself. Lovely, no?)

ahem. {worn by} heidi- third times not a charm.

1.)

White shirt- Express (You should know most of my Express buys, including this one, were picked out from the bottom of the $5 and less box during their annual sale. You should also know that I've only been to Express once since college (even though I love their jeans) so any piece from there is OLD)

Ruffle top- Banana Republic Factory

Sweater- Gap (not the outlet this time!)

Jeans- Guess

Shoes- Toms (was that obvious?)

2.)

Sweater- Ann Taylor (It was on the sale rack for $19 and I debated long and hard over buying it for that 'much.' So imagine me trying not to let my excitement show too much when it rang up for $8 because all clearance was an extra 50% off! Yippee!!)

Jeans- Kohls (I'm trying to break away from restricting the 'skinny' to boots only.... it's scary)

Shoes- Target. You probably own them in another color but did you pay $5 for yours?

Earrings- Forever 21 (most of my jewelry is from there so please don't be offended when I don't show at the lia sophia, premier, etc parties. I'd love to but have you noticed how cheap I am?)

3.)

Scarf- A boutique in Valley Junction (cant think of the name?) $3! (Well- two for $6)

Sweater- Banana Republic Factory

Tissue Tee- Gap $3.47!!!!!! (Wish I would have bought more!)

Jeans- Old Navy 'flirt'

Shoes- Gap Outlet- $8

Name That Meal...

Random post of the week....

Can anyone name this meal? Is it just called creamed eggs? (It's just hard boiled eggs and white sauce over toast.)

I remember my friend's mom making it a lot when I was younger but I don't remember having it at home (sorry mom- if you made it I just must not remember because your other food was so good). So I don't know what the technical name for it is (if there is one). R said he got the corn beef version growing up (I didn't know there was a corn beef version).

Anyway. I know it looks gross but it's good stuff.

Q and A, alternately titled blah blah blah

I love the blog world. I love the connection with real life friends that blog. I love the way blogging connects me to new blog friends. I love the outlet it provides. I love the memories it records. I love the answers it gives. (My friends blogs are way better resources than Jeeves!)

And I love the email.

Yup. I said it. Even when I'm so far behind in so many other areas of my life (enough so that I get a critical "Well then how do you have time to blog?!" scolding),* I still love it.

I started a Q&A post on my photo blog and it cut out a lot of the time I spent replying with answers (often times to the same questions). So while I love the email (you'll still send them right, even if I don't reply?), I'm doing a quick Q&A right here. Right now (cue the Van Halen).

*About the finding time to blog thing- sometimes, like this week's posts, I will sit down and kick out five posts or so and set them to auto publish. It's a great little feature that makes it look like I'm more 'functionally present' than I might actually be! :)

1. Q: Do you spend a lot of time at the outlet mall? Where do you go?

A: I don't really. Maybe once or twice a year (this year it happened to be three times) but it's where I've done the majority of my shopping over the last three years. I try to spend less than $15 on shirts so the outlet is a good place to do that. I used to be slightly obsessed with clothes (in college) so I have a lot of pieces from then that I still wear (jeans excluded..... but that's a whole other post). We try to get to MN once a year so I stop at the Medford Outlet on the way to the cities. I also want to make a tradition of meeting my cousin in KC at the Ledges! (Or at the very least talking R into stopping there on our trips south). I've been to Tanger in Williamsburg but only if we are on that side of the state for something already (I think I've been there three times?) and if we happen to vacation near an outlet, you can bet we'll be stopping. On that note- know of any good ones I need to check out?

2. Q: What treatment plan are you on for autoimmune?

A: None. At one point I was on 16 pills a day, including steroids. I found it wasn't making a positive difference in my health so I quit. Diet (ha), exercise (double ha), and low stress levels (I don't even need to say it) are the best treatment plan. I have figured out some of my triggers and it helps to avoid those (alcohol, certain hormones, &, oddly enough, too much cinnamon).

3. Q: You guys seem so happy. How do you do it?

A: Well thanks but I think it's one of those 'always greener on the other blog' type of things. It's true, R&I are happy, but only when we choose to be. When we choose a Christ focus and work hard at it, life is good. But we slip up. A lot. We're just like you. Scratch that. You are probably way better at it than us. Ha. We do have an awesome Christian counselor that we hang out with once a month (or six weeks or whenever we can get in). It's great for accountability. It encourages you to 'walk the talk' so to speak. I admit that sometimes we've spent our entire 50 minutes talking about basketball and asking about his kids so it may seem silly go have gone. But there are plenty of other times that I've shed tears, prayed for forgiveness, and learned a lot about life. And I recommend it.

4. Q: I don't know how you guys handle all that you've been through. How do you do it?

A: Ha. See question 3.

The only thing I have to add here is that I realize how good we do have it. It's true that our life has turned out much different than we ever planned, but in a lot of ways it's better because of it. There are relationships in my life that I thought I'd have and I don't. There are health issues we thought we'd never have to deal with (at least until we were 'old'). There are spiritual issues that tug on us. All that being said- I know there are a lot of people in this world with a lot bigger mountains. But the reality of it is that we are all facing our own mountains.

I think back to being 14 when my biggest problem was fitting in. Now it seems silly, but at the time it was huge to me. And really- in many ways, life is easier now than it was then.

On that note- I don't blog about life's mountains with a 'poor us' attitude. But this is my record keeper. My outlet. My blog. And I love having a place to vent, to share, and to remember. Just last week I was looking back at old posts and loved seeing how far we had come.

I don't do this blog for anyone else but us (yes, I'm selfish like that). So while I love that you hang out here, I don't expect you to read any post titled 'blah blah blah' or any others for that matter! I'm just glad to hang out in the blog world with ya!

Okay that's enough way too much for today. Thanks for all the blog love, friends!

Talk To Me

This one comes from Dillinger Family:

If you could relive one day of your life, what would it be and why?

(I'm going to add- it can't be your wedding day or any other obvious major milestone.)

My (major milestones excluded) day that I would relive is a day spent along the shore in Hawaii listening to the waves crash in against the rock wall I was laying on, R checking in with all the great stuff he was finding, reading a good book, and not worrying about one single thing.

I have a photo from that day in our bathroom and it still relaxes me when I look at it. I can't wait for another day just like it!

Okay- your turn! What would your day be?

This week you can link up here. Just copy/paste the url to your post for today so we can all come visit your day you would relive!

No Tricks. Just Treats.

Did you have a great end to October? I'm having a REALLY hard time believe October is over.

Our last weekend in October was fantabulous. R had his coaches clinic all weekend (more on that later). I love having visitors over the weekend that he's gone. Hopefully we'll continue to have visitors over Halloween!!!

Friday I ate dinner with Ang and the boys and we met my sisters and Mo&Madd at Living History Farms. Saturday (after pictures) (and a nap for Maddox) we took Maddox for some trick-or-treating in the next town over (ours was Sunday and he wasn't going to be here). When we got back, we carved a pumpkin and Uncle R had some tricks for Maddox. "All in Halloween Fun" was Maddox's favorite saying of the night. :) He LOVED his pirate-o-lantern and showed his appreciation with BIG hugs. Made me feel good considering no one else can probably tell what it is a picture of! :) I'm curious- a lot of the kids we know wore different costumes for different Halloween activities. Is this pretty common or do I just have great friends that know the importance of good dramatic play?

Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Side note:

Now that October is over, we've pulled out our November Blessings calendar again. Are you going to do one this month? Or do you do something similar year round?