Take 5

Despite all the blog-worthy things going on in our lives right now, not to mention the million and one thoughts bouncing around my head like a cheerleader on a Mountain Dew buzz, not even Miscellany Monday can provide me the inspiration necessary to get a post typed and published this morning.

With a crazy week ahead, the hubs out of town, and appointments up the wazoo, I think this is as perfect time as any to take a little break from blogging to focus on things around here at the ol' homestead!

And since it'll be a week before my next post, I have decided to leave y'all with an idea I've seen all over the interwebs---a Q & A session. You ask and I'll do my best to answer your questions in several post installments beginning next week once I return.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with five days' worth of pictures of Lil' Miss Priss, Gillian Grace. After all, she's why y'all became followers in the first place, right?! I'd feel just awful if anyone went into a Gillybean withdrawal before next Monday's post.

{Monday}







{Tuesday}








{Wednesday}





{Thursday}





{Friday}

{And, don't forget to leave a question.}

{Congratulations to Kristin, the winner of the Sweet Bella Cards giveaway. Email me for the details!}





Make it a great week, y'all! See you soon!

Flashback Friday and More

Flashback Friday

{Me, 1980}


My mom was a regular McGuyver, able to fashion a toy with just a trench coat belt and an empty box of Pampers. Move over Playskool, Mom was on a mission to bring a little fun into our living room with our very own diaper box derby! How's that for ingenuity?!

Okay, while I will score no points for originality, I should at least get an A for effort, don't you think?!










Five Question Friday

{one} How many pets do you have?

Zip, zero, zilch!

{two} If you could switch places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be?

If I could switch places with anyone for the day it would be celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe. Even though I couldn't squeeze my pinky finger, much less my entire body, into any of her clothes, I'd love to just camp out in her closet for hours ogling over her hundreds and hundreds of designer frocks. Styling all the A-List Hollywood celebrities would be icing on the cake (which by the way, I'm pretty certain RZ would never eat).


Image found here.

{three} What is your favorite money saving tip?

Never ever leave home! While it would work, I know it's not a realistic tip. Instead I'll have to say that my favorite tip to save a few bucks is to always make a list and stick to it. A list keeps me on track while I'm shopping while helping me to avoid impulse purchases that tend to send my final total soaring!

Image found here.

{four} What do you want your kids to be when they grow up?

Here's a really original answer for you: I want my daughter to be just as she is now, happy!



{five} What is your favorite quote?

Leave it to a man with the last name of Purkey (perky) to come up with my all time favorite quote!

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth."
— William W. Purkey

Image found here.

Yay for 5QF fun hosted by Mama M.! If you'd like to participate head on over to My Little Life and link up.



{Don't forget to check out the Sweet Bella Cards giveaway!}

What do you have planned this weekend? Whatever you do, make it a great one y'all!

Welcome Home, Honey!

Never share the exciting news of a good friend's pregnancy by announcing to your husband minutes after he walks in the door, "Guess who's expecting?!" while coincidentally wearing an I heart baby nightshirt just hours after your return from a yearly visit to the ob-gyn.

Doing so can result in an immediate weakening of the legs, confusion, and temporary loss of speech, soon followed by a rapid release of air (also known as a gigantic sigh of relief).

Whew! I guess timing really is everything! My bad...


Daily Dose of Gillian Grace---GPS (Gillybean Postioning System)












{Click here to enter the Sweet Bella Cards giveaway.}

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Dinner Etiquette

Oh...



My...



Goodness!



What A Mess!

If you didn't know that broccoli and noodles were the latest trend in hair accessories, you do now! And what's even better, should your little messy munchkin get hungry again later, it doubles as a snack! Why didn't I think of this sooner? (Only kidding!)



Now you can see why GG is sporting the "Girls Gone Wild" topless look for dinner! But not even the food in the hair compared to the post wipe down, Don King inspired, do she was showing off next.







Isn't this age fun?!

Happy Wednesday!


{Be sure to check out our Sweet Bella Cards giveaway!}

Grammar 101---And, a SWEET giveaway!

I left Gillian Grace's stoller stationary outside while I took her inside to purchase monogrammed stationery.

Did you know that there was a difference in spelling for each meaning? To be perfectly honest I didn't, at least not until a few years ago. And, now I see these two words used incorrectly all the time, in everything from print ads to publishing.

To help me remember, I use this little trick that I once found online to keep me straight: Stationery is a piece of paper that you write a letter on. Let the "e" in stationery, remind you of of an "envelope".

And, speaking of things to write on, how about a stationery giveaway?

Lara, owner of Sweet Bella Cards on Etsy is offering one Webbisodes reader a set of 10 note cards in a design of their choice.

Here's a little about Lara and Sweet Bella Cards (in her own words):

"My name is Lara and I am the designer and creator of all my stationery, invitations and announcements. All of the printing, cutting, scoring and packaging is done in my little home workshop by me. I began my business when my daughter was born in the hopes of taking a leave from teaching to be home with my babies. When I'm not busy playing with paper, I am teaching sixth graders, or spending time with my beautiful 2 year daughter (Isabella), my 2 month old son (Dean), and my husband. "


Images courtesy of Sweet Bella Cards


Giveaway scoop:
Mandatory

Visit Sweet Bella Cards on Etsy. Leave a comment here telling me about a design you like.

Extra Entries

one. Like Sweet Bella Cards on Facebook.

two. Tweet about this giveaway.

three. Post about this giveaway on Facebook or on your blog. (5 extra entries)

four. Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs. Click the button at the bottom of this post. (Vote once a day and earn an extra entry each time you do!)

five. Grab one of my buttons (or tell me that you already have) and post it anywhere on your blog.

Good Luck!
Remember to leave a separate comment for EACH entry, including each extra entry options. {Ex. If you blog about this giveaway, leave FIVE SEPARATE comments saying---I blogged about this giveaway.} And, please make sure to include your email in at least one of your entries.

Rules: Giveaway ends 8/29/10 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. After 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.

Gillybean Fix---A daily photo dose of Gillian Grace (You're welcome, Gammie!)

Miscellany Monday

{make a wish...}one. Happy Birthday to you; Happy Birthday to you; Happy Birthday, dear Dad; Happy Birthday to you! With my dad's birthday falling the day after my own, celebrating our special days together is quite possibly my most favorite of all our birthday traditions. Best wishes to the greatest dad the world's ever known! I love you, Dad!



Oh, and someone else has a few birthday wishes of her own to share...









{31 going on 13}two. Yesterday I turned 31, and no matter how old I get, I will always love birthdays. Birthdays are like Christmas, just with balloons! And what 13 year old, I mean 31 year old, doesn't like balloons?! (Note to self: Next year turn cake around before taking pictures.)



{shopping bags and an apple}three. An apple a day will definitely keep my blues away! I am the proud owner of a new Apple MacBook Pro! Bret truly outdid himself with this birthday surprise! With a few Ann Taylor gift cards burning a hole through my wallet, online shopping is going to be more fun now than ever!



{procrastination}four. As usual, I put off getting ready for our Sunday company, until...well, Sunday morning. Sheesh! And while I know there are some people that work best under pressure, today was definitely proof that I am not one of those people. The faster I went, the more mistakes I made! Two trips to the grocery store and three different batches of the same muffin mix later, all was well!

{yes, ma'am}five. There are some people that when they pass along a request, you can just smile and shake your head. But when it's your momma doing the requesting, I've learned it best to oblige! So this weekend when my mom made a simple request, to include a picture of Gillian Grace with every post, I promised to do my best to make it happen. So like I've seen on many blogs, I'll try to include a picture of the little rascal with each post, no matter the topic!



{the weatherman lied}six. 20% chance of rain? Try 20% chance that you'll make it to your car without being completely drenched! Our family photo shoot on the Eastern shore this weekend was cut short by some very wicked weather. But after seeing a few of the pictures Bret was able to snap, it's probably a good thing. Humidity + my wavy hair = 1 unflattering picture of me (GG always looks cute!)





{here's your sign}seven. Congratulations to Jen Ross, winner of the Mama's Messages giveaway. Please email me within 48 hours.




How was your weekend? Have a great Monday, y'all!