Thrifting, Baseball, and a Vaca-what else do you need on a Saturday?

How is it that I have reached June and this will be my 26th post for the year? I swear I have more to say than that, as can be attested by those that know me well. But my crazy thoughts jump so quickly from one place to another, that I barely have time to catch up with myself. So for today I shall make a list. Because really, who has time for transitions.

1. I had a pretty successful Saturday, with some great thrift store finds and auction steals. I promise that I will post pictures soon.

2. My brother played ball last night, the first time that I've got to watch him this year. He's 10, so the boys are pitching themselves, but with help from the coach after 4 balls. It was so much fun and so sweet and so boy-like too. I kept wanting to cheer for all those tiny little guys whenever they stepped up to the plate or threw a wild pitch or missed a pop fly, but I also saw the obnoxious habits of boys forming in them too. The cocky kid that crossed home plate holding up his finger in the air, showing that he was number one. Puh-lease. The constant checking of that new "cup" in their baseball pants. The nose picking, and I even think I saw some air humping. I mean really, they're 10, why are they already like that?!

3. Speaking of baseball, my newfound love for the game is growing (hey-wait a minute, that could have been a transition, from one thought to the next, that even makes sense! how bout that.) My season tickets for K-State were fun, and I know we'll do it again next year, and hopefully make it to more games with friends and family. And next week, I'm going to a Junction City Generals game with some former co-workers. I even think the farmer husband will be in between planting and harvest, so he might go with. Plus, we're trying to schedule a Royals game for July, after harvest is done. It'll be nice to get away for a weekend, and I think my husband wants to make up for what will surely be a non-noticed birthday and he's still gotta make up for breaking my new bookshelf for my Mary Kay room. But don't say anything about that, he's kind of touchy about it.

4. Why do I have a newfound love for baseball? Well that I believe would be a great story for another day. Man if I follow through with a post about baseball AND a post with pictures from my Junk Excursion, I just won't know what to do with myself. That'd make it 28 posts for the year. Heck ya!

5. We've been discussing going on a vacation with our good friend Brandon and his wife. He was the best man in our wedding, and he just recently got married as well (I was a cake cutter, the most stressful job in a wedding.) We at first talked about going on a cruise and I wasn't too sure about it. But I started doing some research and asking others, and I got really excited about it. But then our good friend Brandon says maybe we should just go to Mexico and sit on the beach instead of riding a boat to that beach. Which is ok too, but I was all excited about the cruise! But I think our deal breaker is that we can't get an all-inclusive cruise, that includes the alcohol. I mean, $6 beers add up pretty quickly, and isn't that a sad sign when our main concern is how much our drinks are going to cost! But a lady was telling me last night (she ran the scoreboard at the boy's baseball game, so she's surely a trusted source) that you can sneak on some stuff or you can even buy alcohol from the duty free stores on the boat for decently cheap. So I don't know, we're looking for some more insight, so if you're still reading this far down-let me know what you think!

Surely 5 really boring, wordy, pointless points is enough for my list today. I'm gonna go sack out on the couch and think about putting away my laundry and getting started on my thrifting treasures!

Needs vs Wants: a discussion

So my birthday is in the middle of summer. I always hated having summer birthdays, because I didn't get to take cupcakes to school, I didn't have all day to be surrounded by my best friends, and quite honestly-as a farm kid-my birthday is always an afterthought. Like maybe we'll celebrate it in September, when things slow down.

And all I've ever really wanted for my birthday is for people to notice and remember. I'm not a Birthday Diva. I hate figuring out what I want....I don't know what I want. I can't even decide what I want to eat when I'm at Sonic, how am I supposed to tell you what gifts to buy me!?

But today, TODAY, I have ideas for what I want!

Oh why hello, gorgeous-wouldn't you look lovely in my dining room. Yes, yes you would.



Lately, we have been getting lots of rain, much to the dismay of my farmer husband, who wants to be in the field planting beans. But, more importantly, to my dismay, I have no cute rainwear. I need me some cute stuff, and this rain jacket is lovely! I love the belt and the shape. I was looking for something bright and colorful, but something a little more classic might be better for the years to come. And maybe I could just get some super cute rainboots instead.

And finally, despite my husband telling me that we do not need a second computer, I really think that I do. It would just make everything so much easier. And by everything I definitely mean updating this blog. So, I think that it's a win-win situation for everyone involved.


But really other than that (ha, other than a chandelier, a coat, and a computer I say, what kind of other than that could there be!), all I want is to hang out with my friends, maybe watch a baseball game and spend some time with my hubby-who will no doubt actually be in the field or waiting at the elevator for everyone to be done in the fields for my birthday.

Yea me.

We're an old, married couple

In the past three weeks, my husband and I have cut down a tree in our front yard, ripped out nasty old carpet in our entire upstairs, picked out (together) and had installed new carpet, transplanted plants, seeded new grass, had a garage sale, and a backyard barbecue to invite over friends and neighbors.

Now I'm not telling you all of this to impress you with our work ethic, because quite honestly we're a couple of really lazy people, but instead I'm just reflecting on what our life has turned into.

I spend my time thinking about what area in my home to work on next (seriously though, what area should I do next-cause they all need it, and they all seem like a huge undertaking-HELP), I worry about Mark and I finding the time and money to start a family, I want to host parties (and get better at that too-you know I want them to actually be fun...) Mark and I have been married longer than the period of time we were just boyfriend and girlfriend (and so no, that doesn't include the amount of time we were engaged, it's just a comparison people.)

Life has been crazy at times, we've dealt with some sucky things. Job issues, family issues, marriage issues, wanting different things at different time issues and feeling like you don't understand me issues. We've grown apart from some friends, we've rekindled old friendships, and whodathunkit, but I've even made female friends (I know, crazy right?) We've made goals, we've reached goals, and we've been lost without knowing what goals to make next.

But we've done it together, and we've made it so far. Mark might be tired of my lazy ass never putting away the clean clothes, and I am only slightly tired of all the farming talk that goes way over my head. We got married young, and were kinda crazy and naive. But right now, we're in a place that makes us happy. Even more happy without that ugly tree in my front yard (and yes, I got a "You were right" from my mother-in-law, and you had better believe I will use that for all it's worth and then some.) And our weekends may be full of yard work and garage sales and parties that are over before 11, but it's been worth it. So thanks Mark for doing it all with me. And thanks for understanding my need for Mt. Dew or other sudden impulses (like yes I might want chili cheese fries from Sonic-even if we did just eat supper), and for only slightly being annoyed by it.

And yes honey, now I'll stop procrastinating and go spend the "it only takes 5 minutes" time to hang up my clothes.

Mary Kay Sale!

It's my 2nd Annual Mary Kay Moving Sale!

No, we're not moving again, but about this time last year was when I had my moving sale to get ready for Mark and I to move to our new home. Well now, we're getting carpet in our (same) new home and so I have to move all my stuff out of my office and then back in. So why not have a Moving Sale!

$3 off All Eyeshadows
$5 off All Other Products

That's it, it's that simple. That's per item. Every single thing you order.

So stock up on your foundations and moisturizers











get your mom something that smells pretty for Mother's Day












and buy your cousin a fun Graduation gift.













www.marykay.com/mirandae

What I have been doing since giving up TV for Lent:


-going to bed at about 9:13


-playing lots of logic puzzles (ya know-jim bob and sue all ate supper, they had a hot dog, pretzel, and pizza, and it cost each one $5, $6, or $7 in some order-who ate what and how much did it cost-kinda thing)


-kinda cleaning more, it goes in waves


-not updating my blog


-reading LOTS of other blogs


-wasting more time on the computer


-eating supper at the table


-reading 40 Days of Purpose


-trying to ignore my husband as he loudly chuckles-no, no-loudly guffaws at the CBS Monday Night lineup-oh Big Bang and HIMYM, how I miss you


-trying to prepare myself for Good Friday and Easter, and devoting more time to my relationship with God

-reading a daily devotional

-surprisingly not missing TV that much, except CBS Monday Night, and maybe some Chelsea Lately too

Mary Kay and Social Responsibility

I have had many concerned emails about information surrounding Mary Kay and their supposed sponsorship of HSUS. Now, I too was at first alarmed, but when I went to the Mary Kay website, I found the truth was that once again HSUS has listed information as fact when it is actually a fabrication.

I can't answer for the donation by an individual, but I do know the company that I work for, and I believe in their dedication towards supporting just causes to eliminate cancer and to end the epidemic of violence against women. If you're interested in finding out more about what Mary Kay Inc does support as a company I encourage you to go here.

Below I have included the information provided by Mary Kay Corporation.


Published 03.09.10

Event Sponsorship Clarification

Some Independent Beauty Consultants and fans of Mary Kay® products have expressed concerns over a recent sponsorship of a Dallas-area event. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. We have heard you and want to clarify any confusion.

First and foremost, Mary Kay is not a sponsor of this event. Mary Kay’s owner’s wife was approached to make a personal contribution toward a local event here in Dallas sponsored by the Dallas chapter of the Humane Society. This event specifically supports efforts to stop puppy mills and the organization’s “Stop Puppy Mills Campaign.” Out of caring and compassion, our owner’s wife agreed to make a personal contribution. Mary Kay has contacted the Humane Society to clarify that we are not sponsors of this event, and the Company logo is being removed from the Humane Society Web site.

As a Company, we sincerely apologize for any confusion or causing any offense to members of the Mary Kay community.

Yes, you can be jealous

So tomorrow.....

My mom and I have some big plans......

Her Christmas present is finally here......

She and I will be heading down South....

To the big city of Wichita.....

for a once in a lifetime show......

It'll be almost like we're 'livin on a prayer'

So come on mom, 'take my hand, we'll make it I swear'

Winner Announced!

A week ago I announced my first ever giveaway. Now it was kinda slow going, but ever the better for those that participated, right!? I counted each comment, each blogpost about my giveaway and each follower. There were 11, so I decided use the random integer number thingy for 1-11, and it gave me the number 4!


Now if I was smart enough, I would post a little picture of the outcome-but let's just say I've never been an overachiever.


So comments 1-3, then the 1st blogpost equals 4 (I promise I decided the order and which each number would represent before I did the whole random thing) and so Beautifully Inspired wins! Funny since she got four whole entries.

So Nicole, email me your home address and I will get your very own copy of Flea Market Style in the mail. I'm so excited for you to see it, I love your home and your style and I think you will find some great inspiration in the magazine!

Exposure

I love blogging. It exposes me to so much. There are so many things that in my quiet, quaint little world I would never see. I am inspired by other's stories, passions, homes, and music. I am that dork that constantly says to my husband, "The other day on this blog I was reading...."

But in the Middle of Nowhere, Kansas how else would I connect with a mother of four in Southern California, and watch as she puts out some of the most honest thoughts of motherhood and dealing with life and money and baking cakes?

How would I see how literally hundreds of people decorate their homes with the kind of style that I can only copy?

How would I meet a woman who has adopted through foster care three different, beautiful children and be inspired by her patience and dedication?

And how would I have found this?

True Fan

Yesterday a lady came into work, and after seeing all of the KSU purple around, and a little bit of that KU stuff, she remarked that her initials were actually K S U. And so now I'm mad that I didn't marry a man with the last inital of U so that all of my babies could have their initials be KSU!!!

Sorry honey, but you know it's the truth. I guess we'll just have to just give our kids two middle names. I'll have to start thinking on the U part.

Kathy Sue Uma?
Kevin Scott Ulysses?

We'll work on it, we've got time.

Follow through?

On Sunday I had some time to fill, what with no company, no TV, and my nap already done. So I decided to finally finish priming my basement from after we tore down the walls. I ran out of primer before I could quite get done with the last wall-but it already looks so much better. Don't you agree?




Oh wait, you don't see a picture? That's because for approximately 2 months now, I have been completely unable to find the charger for my camera. Yep-gone! No idea. No pictures. No fun.

But last night as I was pulling out my overnight bag from the top of my closet, no reason really, I'm not staying overnight anywhere, but there it was! So maybe, and I stress the maybe I will get some pictures up of my recent thrifting finds and the progress in the basement and the bathroom.

Of course, I won't promise that I will actually follow through on that. I seem to have a problem. Like I said, I was so close to finishing up the priming in my basement. So last night, I buy another bucket of primer, bring it home, and what do I do? Instead of spending 20 min. finishing it up I figure why not start tearing down the border in the bathroom. Seems like a good idea. So now I not only need to finish priming but I also need to finish the border removal!

*Also, don't forget my Giveaway! One lucky person will be getting a copy of the best new magazine-Flea Market Style. Sign up below!!

I am a party pooper

A quick note for those friends of mine, apparently it is not a good idea to invite me to your birthday bash. This weekend, after our weekend guests had to bail on us (which was bad and good-bad because I was excited to hang out with these friends-but good because I didn't have to worry about making excuses for the state of the cabinet in our bathroom nor the twin bed in our guest room,) we went out to supper with another couple, Derek and Dana, to celebrate Dana's birthday. We went to their house and then headed into town for some delicious barbecue and back to their house for some Wii fun.

Sounds all wonderful, right? Well, let me explain a little further. Derek and Dana have a cat, and for those that don't know... or those that I have lied to, I'm allergic. It's not horrible, no hospital trips are needed, but I did load up on the Benadryl (non-drowsy or so I thought) before we went. Well then at supper, I did a big no-no and ordered a margarita (or two) and it wasn't long after eating a large meal, sitting in the warm room, before I knew it was time to go. We got in the car and headed to Wal-Mart, because what trip to the big town is done without one? And as everyone else headed inside, I claimed a huge interest in the last 12 seconds of the K-State game-where I then layed back my chair and promptly fell asleep. It wasn't long before pounding on the door scared the hell woke me up. They were all back to the car, and thankfully ignored the probable drool I had left on my shirt. But we were soon on our way, back to their house, and then because I am that comfortable being a huge dork in front of my friends- I took another nap on the 20 min drive back to their house. Yes, shameful I am. But I did wake up, and proceeded to win both Baseball and MarioKart-because with being so well rested, I apparently didn't have any excuses. Yea for a good birthday for my friend. Dana-you deserve better.

But you see, there's more to this story. The worst thing about it all.........I did the same exact thing at her birthday party last year. Fell asleep on their little love seat out in the shop. Because I am that much of a loser, and apparently the world's worst friend. So sorry Dana-I promise it's not you, it's me. Well other than the fact that you still choose to hang out with me, that's all you, and I don't quite know if I get it.