Life After I "Dew"

First of all I want to say a HUGE thank you to all my guest posters over the past few weeks.  When I was looking for guest bloggers I had no idea I'd get 2 months worth of guests!   You all rock, seriously!  You are all so funny and creative and now it's back to boring ole me. 

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

So that's that.

I try to live my life pretty simple.  And by that I mean I try not to over-think things.  

I am the person who never imagined their wedding as a little girl, ever.

I never actually thought about childbirth when I was pregnant, not once.

When I was on maternity leave I never anticipated the day I'd go back to work.

When I got my wisdom teeth taken out I never thought about the pain I'd endure.

I just knew all these things were coming and were going to happen whether I liked them or not and went on with life.

I just don't dwell on things that 1. I have no control over and 2. are inevitable.  

I don't know how I do it, I just do.  I can honestly say that all of the above are true.  I just live each day without anticipation of what's to come.

I'm not saying this is a good thing because clearly I can see where this could cause issues.  Like you wouldn't want to live with your head in the clouds all the time and end up running into a brick wall, ouch!  

For example, I am aiming to cross something off my bucket list.  Something that is going to require me to get outside of my comfort zone a little.  Something that requires training.  Something I don't love.  But guess what?  I'm just going to Dew do it.  I'm not going to think about how much I hate it or how much I don't want to do it, I'm just going to take each day as it comes and when the day comes I'll cross that thing off my list and not think twice about it.  

And that's the real reason for this post.  

I am going to run a 5K, eventually.  It's cold outside and I heard that whole rumor that if your lungs aren't used to it they can explode if you aren't used to it.  Yeah, not a fan.  So I'm aiming for spring time.  It doesn't have to be warm out just warmer than snow.  Also as much as I hate cold, I hate running.  Like I feel like I'm going to die when I do it and I'm pretty sure I look like it to.   

But I'm going to overcome that.  I'm not going to focus on the shortness of breath or the fact that I hate sweating.  I'm just going to take each day as it comes, run as much as I can, hopefully learn to love it like so many others do.

So I wanted to get this out there because I need you to hold me accountable.  I need you to tell me to get on the treadmill when all I want to do is sit down with a box glass of wine.  Can you do that for me?  This is the one area I think  I will struggle with, the one thing I will dwell on until the day it comes.  

So what do you say bloggers?  Are you in?  Please say you're in.

Have you heard of Shabby Apple?

It's is an adorable website.  No really.  

They have dresses for your mini me

Adorable {mommy friendly} dresses

And this floral fabric headband that I need in my life

If you haven't checked out Shabby Apple yet, please do yourself a favor and click that ad in my sidebar.  I promise you will thank me later.

And because I love Shabby Apple and Shabby Apple loves L.A.I.D. readers we want to give you something!!!  Tis the season, right?

Up for grabs is this Looking Glass Necklace

So cute, right?  I want one myself!  Think they'd be mad if I entered?  I kid.

So here's the scoop.

That's it.  I want to keep it simple.  So leave me a comment for EACH one you do and I'll pick a winner later this week!

Let's talk about health for a second, shall we?  

When I decided it was finally time to lose that dreaded baby weight I knew I had to do it in a healthy way.  It was going to be gradual and that was OK because I was a new mom, I needed my energy and my focus to be on my brand new baby girl.  I decided to do something I had never done before, count calories.  This was a new method for me and as you all know it worked, for me.  I was able to shed 47 pounds the healthy way, through diet and exercise.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I turned to Pinterest for weight loss tips, new exercise tricks and low calorie recipes, after all Pinterest is the holy grail for all things, well for everything.

I came across motivational quotes like this.

This week's FINAL So What! Wednesday guest blogger is the one, the only, Ashley Paige from I Love You More Than Carrots.  I'm pretty sure if you've been around these part for any length of time you know she's one of my #1 gal pals.  I have tagged her more times than probably appropriate and our HeyTell conversations are borderline homosexual.  Yeah, that.  So, without further ado...Miss AP.

Hi ya'll! Can we take a minute and pretend I'm cute and southern? Okay, thanks. This way I can say things like ya'll and not sound like a total dufus. For those of you who don't know me, I'm 'AP,' bloggy besties with Shannon, Wife to The Husband and Mama to 'Baby C." I also word vomit blog over at I Love You More Than Carrots. Oh and C is no longer a baby. He's 15 months old. So, there's that.

Like you, I love Shannon. I mean, lurve her. In a dirrty-girl way. We go way back and I have to say I had such a blast sharing those miraculous 9 months of pregnancy with her. Everything from the positive pee stick to the first kicks to lightening hoo-ha's. We're just close like that. Even though KP is promised to this little hunk of burning love, I have high hopes that C will KP's Husband Numero Dos. 

You see, every Wednesday I used to do something mindless called "Wee One Wednesday" which was really just another excuse to share with you all my mad photography skills and ridiculously handsome child. But then life got busy and I stopped taking 5,641 pictures every day. Unfortunately for ya'll (there I go being cute and southern again) this means I have time for my first ever So What Wednesday! Did you hear that? This is my cherry-poppin' SWW. So, without further a do, here's what I'm saying "So What!" to:

SO WHAT if...

:: I consistently spend my monthly "stipend" before I actually get it in my hands. I mean, I know the money is coming and I'm clearly "good for it," and I needed those boots now and C needed that toy box, like, yesterday.

:: I let my child eat nothing but bread and ice cream on occasion. If you knew what it was like to suffer the wrath of Picky Choosy Nasty Toddler, you'd let him eat bread and ice cream, too.

::  I feign sickness/wifely-and-motherly-exhaustion at least a few times per week, you know, to avoid, well, you know. Heck, sometimes I even feign sleep. This is how babies are made, PEOPLE! Better to be asleep safe than sorry.

SO WHAT if...

:: I'm the best fake-sleeper you ever met. 

:: I may or may not have purchased the smaller sized bag of dog food this month just so that we'd have a few extra dollars left over for more wine. As it is, Sheepie gets at least an entire meal sitting beneath C's highchair most days. Shameless, really.

:: I tend to wear Leggings As Pants way more than is socially acceptable. It's the new Mom-i-form in my book and seeing my ass in leggings at least draws attention away from my crazy Mom-Hair.

:: I only use the large calendar days in my Erin Condren Life Planner. Those pages that break it down into "morning," "day" and "night?" Haven't seen a pen since that baby first landed it's little overpriced ass on my doorstep. 

:: I should really return these babies that finally showed up on my doorstep after being back ordered for thirty days but I secretly plan on keeping them. I mean, I went so far as to buy a completely different pair and don't really need this pair but they're just so pretty. And would look great with Leggings As Pants.

SO WHAT if...

:: I really, really like the F-word. A lot more than I should and much, much more than I should as a parent. To a toddler with a Mind Like A Sponge. 

:: I re-pin things on Pinterest and don't always change the captions? I mean, there's only so many ways you can, "I love this!" or "Modge Podge Picture Frame!" or "Really, really adorable nursery bedding ideas!" 

:: I wasted today's nap time writing this SWW post. Way worth it, if you ask me and much more fun than folding that laundry that's on it's fourth dry cycle... 

Whew, it felt good to get all of that out. Thanks so much, Shannon for letting me take advantage of your little slice of the blog world! I have a feeling this isn't the last time you're going to see me around here... Muah-hah-hah...  

So, what are YOU saying So What to this Wednesday?

• We had a baby shower for a coworker this week.  She is older and unexpectedly pregnant with many complications.  She is having a hard time emotionally and financially and the outpouring of love {and gifts} she got was amazing.  I donated Kendall's swing and while it was very hard for me to let go of {wah that's where my baby slept for 4 months} it made me feel so good to know that the swing that made my baby so happy will now bring another baby the same peace and happiness.
• I am offering a really great Avon special through the end of this month!   For every $25 order you get one of these 14 piece gift sets FREE!  These are PERFECT stocking stuffers.

Do you have a bucket list?

I never had one but this weekend I thought a lot about things I want to do.  Things I want to show Kendall.  Things I want to prove to myself I can do.  Things I want to be proud of.  

Being a mom puts a whole new perspective on things.  I want to be the best Shannon I can be, for my daughter. Sure I've always wanted to be happy and healthy but knowing that I have a small person looking up to me and looking for guidance and approval, well...it's different now.

So this weekend I finally made a real bucket list.  And it goes something like this:

Get married.

Donate something more than blood.

Go to the Kentucky Derby.

Do meaningful work.

Start a business.

Go to The Mall of America.

Become a mom.

Run a 5K.

Visit Napa Valley.

Join a church.

Be vegetarian.

Kiss in the rain.

Go to Disney as a family.

Go on a hot air balloon ride.

Get a tattoo {or 2}.

Swim with the dolphins.

Own a vacation home.

See Cirque du Soleil.

Go surfing {learn how to surf}.

Pay it forward.

Own a home.

Travel 1st class.

Get a college degree.

Go zip-lining.

Get a boob lift.

Be truly happy.

Have no debt.

Start a blog.

Punch someone.

Go rock-climbing.

Do a cleanse diet.

Meet my blog friends {all of them}.

Give blood.

Build a dream home.

Visit Rockefeller Center for the tree lighting ceremony.

Influence others.

Take Kendall to the American Girl store and have tea.

Take dance lessons with Jimmy.

Learn direction {north, east, south west}

Grow a garden.

Enjoy a beach bonfire and clam bake.

Share a secret that might change someones life.

And I think that should keep me busy for a while, no?  As you can see I've crossed very few things off this list.  It was only until just now that I realized how many things I want to do and see before I die.  Sounds morbid but I really need to start living life instead of watching each day go buy, waiting for the next.

Perhaps my New Years resolution will be to cross some of these things off.  Let's start by visiting Napa. 

So what's on your bucket list?

The main reason I'm doing today's post is so we can address one big fat elephant in the room. 

Mariah's stomach.

I don't know about you but I think these girls just may be even more of a train wreck than the first batch.  I mean for crying out loud, Leah, you have a good guy {I use that term loosely} and you cheat on him AGAIN?  Instead of worrying about your vagina focus on those baby girls, especially the sick one!  And don't even get me started on Jenelle, girlfriend needs to be slapped in the face by a dose of REALity.  Send her ass to jail, she needs it.

Did you hear Justin Bieber's "baby mama" dropped her paternity case against him?

I don't know about you but I think that is totally sick!  I remember thinking to myself, "what sick f*ck would even WANT to buy that?".  And then they took it off the auction, thank God. 

Speaking of sickkos, Snookie is looking svelt these days.

I'm sure her weight loss success can be attributed to something totally healthy and reasonable.

I mean I know their celebs and their version of reality is skewed but God love em for keeping me entertained, always.

A cleaning lady.  Yes that is numero uno on the list this year.

A new bedroom set {on sale even}.  Our bedroom is depressing, I'd love to love it.
While you're at it,new bedding too.  Please and thank you.

A spa day.  Mama needs it.  Enough said.

North Face Osito Jacket.  Ivory or white please.

A vacation.  Anywhere warm and with a beach will do.

GMC Terrian.  A car.  No big deal, right?

Aveda Air Control hair spray.  Best hair spray ever.  Trust.

New tennis shoes.  I like these.

A Nordstrom gift card so I can FINALLY buy myself some new, post baby, bras.  Or just a boob lift.
A new coffee maker.  I think this one looks FAB!  Single serve AND a whole pot?  Sign me up!
New purse, like I need one.  But I'm IN LOVE with this one so...yeah.
Boot socks.  Preferably these.
Because why not.  Size 7.5 please.
Gift certificates to my favorite store, Francesca's.  So I can buy this, this, this, and this.
While you're at it a gift card to Old Navy too because they always have stuff I need.

I think that should do it.  Thanks for shopping!  Can't wait to start receiving!

Are you guys ready for Thanksgiving? 

Kendall is!

{toddlers!  I swear it's SO hard to get a good picture of them!}

Thanks to Greta at Kidology, Kendall has the perfect tee for her Thanksgiving celebrations!

Greta was so easy to work with, her machine was down when I contacted her and the sweet thing still kept me in mid once she got it fixed!  The tee?  Beyond quality!  Take a look at the close ups.

Oh and did I mention she was FAST? I mean even with her machine down she had it to me in less than 2 weeks!  Greta ROCKS my socks! 

Now won't you please head on over to her shop for all your holiday kid outfit needs!?  

Today's guest blogger and I go back, WAY back, like 5 or so years ago.   We "met" via a fashion/style message board, which, at the time, may or may not have been dedicated to Jessica Simpson.  Anywho...she's gorgeous, super sweet and girlfrined has STYLE!  In fact, her blog is about just that, styling!  She recreates celebrity looks for the every day girl and she always post her outfits, which are FAB!  Seriously WISH I had this girl's closet.  So say "hi" to Kylie, won'tcha?

Hi everyone, I'm so excited that Shannon let me get in on the SWW posting fun. I've always wanted to do these on my own blog and never have. So here is what I'm saying "so what" to today:

~So what if I leave clothes in the dryer or laundry basket for a week before I fold them. It's just little ole me at my house, so I'm ok with it.

~So what if I rarely unpack from a trip until the next trip I need to lack for... Again, it's just me, I'm good with it. Spare bedrooms are good for hiding clothes and luggage that I don't want to look at.

~So what if I get jealous every time I see one of my friends posting about going to Vegas on Facebook!! I'm obsessed with the place and I'm beyond ready for a trip back.

~So what if I get irritated when people tell me to do things that I already know to do, I'm not stupid, give me some credit.

~So what if I also get irritated when people tell me to do something I've already done... See above, I'm not stupid, I'm actually a mind reader!! :)

~So what if I rarely remember to do my Friday Favorites post on my own blog.

~So what if I obsessively check the reader stats of my blog. I gotta know if peeps are reading and which things that I write about are most popular.

~So what if I wish I could just be a full time blogger. If I could give my blog 100% of the time I wanted, it would be awesome. This thing called a job gets in my way.

~So what if I sometimes blog at work on my downtime. Hey when do you thing I wrote this post?? The work gets done, promise.

~So what if I don't get to work until 9 most days. I just say my lunch hour is from 8-9.

~So what if I eat at the same restaurants every Tues, Thurs, and Sun. We're such regulars they get worried if we don't show up.

~So what if I'm 33 and not married or dating anyone. I've finally realized that there isn't anything wrong with me and that God has a plan for my life and I just have to be patient to find out what that is.

Wow, that was alot!! Thank you Shannon for allowing me to guest post on your blog. So nice to say "so what" to all of these things!! And ladies, if I can plug my own blog for a minute, come visit me at Styled by MaryKylie. I'd love to style you!

 

Remember that time I took my baby toddler into a bar?

It was your typical Friday night.  Jimmy, Kendall and I went to dinner at Olive Garden {because we're fancy like that} and then made our way to the mall to meet my bestie and her husband.

The evening was fun.  We shopped, we caught up on each others lives, we decided we needed a drink of the adult persuasion.

I'm not sure if you are all familiar with the Cup-O-Joe/Mojo Lounge. Cup-O-Joe is the coffee side while Mojo is it's fun big brother, a lounge that serves libations.

So as we're strolling {and by strolling I mean I'm actually pushing the stroller} through the gates we pass the signage that reads "must be 21 and over" I realize, "Shit!  We have a baby.  In a bar!" {Sweet Home Alabama anyone?}.

I look at my bestie, "is this appropriate?".  And she looks just as confused as I.  Jimmy wants to get his drink on so he's all, "eh it's no big deal, it's not like a REAL bar".  "But it has a sign!  It says 21+, she's only 1!!!"

We debate.

We realize two things.

1. It was probably not appropriate and we'd end up with lots of side eye.  Plus if we were patronizing a "lounge" we wouldn't want to be disruppted by a not-wanting-to-stay-in-the-stroller-toddler either.

2. We still need a stiff drink.

Like any sneaky lush parent would do we had Jimmy go to the "lounge" and order our drinks while we went to the coffee shop side and waited for him to bring them over.  Success!  He snuck them over the gates and we sat and enjoyed some 21+ beverages for a few minutes until...

Busted. 

They caught us. 

Apparently the coffee side isn't meant for alcohol {who knew?  not me ;-)}.

Forcing me to down my {very strong} vodka/tonic and bust a move outta there.

So yeah.  I kinda sorta took my baby toddler to a bar.  I wouldn't recommend it, you will get the stink eye, promise.

 

My name is Shannon and I love to meal plan.  There I said it.  It's true.  I love to sit down every week, go through Pinterest and Kraft to see what dinners we'll have for the week, it's like therapy to me.  Sick, I know.  I've gone as far as meal planning and grocery shopping for 2 weeks worth before and THAT was awesome.  I really wish I did that more often because that food lasted us almost a whole month, besides the occasional milk & fresh fruits run here and there.
Because I love you, and SO many people have asked, I have created a dinner {note I said dinner, you are on your own for breakfast and lunch at this time} menu plan for the week.  This will include your grocery shopping list and recipes for 3 nights of dinners.  Why just 3 nights?  Because Jimmy has school 2 nights a week so I only have to cook 3 nights.  So for me, on my nights off, I eat pizza but I figure everyone may not be a pizza addict like me so I modified it to fit normal peoples lives.

You see the weekends we usually eat out so the weekends are your free for all time.  Do what you want, I can't be held responsible.

The way I see it, if you cook for 3 nights straight you are bound to have tons of leftovers, we always do, so eat those on night number 4 and take night number 5 off and either order a pizza or make a frozen one, we do a little of both.

And because I love you THAT much, here are the recipes for you dolls.  We had these all last week and I can attest to their deliciousness.



FYI if you see something name brand on this list, it's just for good measure.  I always, I repeat ALWAYS, buy generic.  So there you have it, a week full of dinner all planned out for you.  You can see there are extra lines on the grocery list for you to put your tampons, condoms, and wine breakfast, lunches, and misc items.  I will try and do this every so often but I can't guarantee it'll be a weekly thing. 
You're welcome Enjoy!