I wonder

There are days when I feel just like a robot. Same ole same ole every single day. Get up and ready, tend to the kid, work, come home, dinner, chores, bed and wake up and do it all over again. I often daydream. I think we all do. It’s like, when I can’t go shopping because the monthly bills are due and I really would like something new, I still go, just to window shop. I love to window shop. I often can be satisfied, if I just go in, look at the items, try them on then leave. Although it makes me want them even  more, I know there will be a day when the sale rack calls my name.

I used to have a well paying job where I didn’t have to worry the stress if I bought a new pair of shoes, but since the recession, that’s not the case. Everyone’s needs always come before mine. I did just recently by a few things, but with gift cards and a little tax money, I got a few things I have been dreaming about, with the exception of those Navy mid-calf Hunter Boots which you will hear about until they arrive on my doorstep.

I wonder what it would be like to have all the money in the world, then I could live like a soap opera star. Get up, go to the gym, hit the mall on the way home and not stress about saving my money because some bill is due. Hell, who am I kidding, with all the money in the world, I could ditch the gym and have some plastic surgeon suck the fat out of fluffy and I would be tight as an unused rubber band.

I wonder what it would like to be tall, so I wouldn’t have to have every pair of pants altered. Most of the time I don’t. If mom can’t do it then I just let them drag the floor or wear heels. The worn look I tell myself is in.

I wonder what it would be like to dye my hair back to its natural color, dark ash brown. I have tried once but it freaked me out because I have highlighted my hair so much I felt like a different person. But I see these women with this beautiful dark hair and it’s shiny, tossing it around like a high priced hair shampoo commercial and I think, oh, the less maintenance would be nice.

I wonder what it would be like to have brown eyes and boobs. I have family members that have dark eyes. They are so intense. I have family members that have big kahoona’s. They say they hate them, I just want to try them just once.

I wonder what its like to be a PTA mom. I will never be a PTA mom. I don’t like clicks. I cuss too much. Baby daddy got too many tattoos and looks like a walking coloring book, we wouldn’t fit in with those type of people, that their every breath is what little Johnny does every second of the day. I want Ian to grow up being humble. We praise him, but I want him to live in HIS world not a fantasy world I create for image purposes only. So much of that goes on now. I love my son more than anything, but I got a life. But I know I will never be atop the phone tree.

I guess I could wonder all day long but the facts are these. I am happy. My life isn’t perfect. People aren’t always accepting, I have the necessary things I need. My body is my own temple how I nurture it is my own conflict with my head and getting off my ass (see I cussed). How I look is the way I was born. If people find me beautiful then I am in awe of that. I am not conceded, nor vain. But I am proud that I am not Cinderella by day or night. So, I guess for me I can wonder all I want and its okay because the mirror reflects me and what I see is, Dusty de.

What do you ever wonder? Does it ever cross your mind, but you realize it’s OK, just to be who you are? Let me hear your daydreams.

Hugs,

Dusty

Plain & Simple

Being from the South, there has always been a standard of grace, good manners and beauty. Southern women are known for the image of always being the bell of the ball. When I was younger, I can remember my grandmother standing in the bathroom fluffing her beehive that could have put Marge Simpson to shame and drawing on her eyebrows with precision. Women have been taught that image and how you look is almost insistent when it comes to the public eye. My mother’s generation and generations before that never leave the house without their face and hair perfect not knowing who they would see out and about. A secret society of sorts. You work all week but on the weekends you never know who you would see at the local grocery or drug store.

To this day my grandmother or my mother do not go out without some type of “war paint” as my grandfather called it on their faces to venture to Wal-mart. I mean seriously its Wal-mart, who cares! But they do because it means you might see Betty Jo who’s married to the only insurance agent in town and you might have to discuss what took place at the Friday night football game or who’s child is now divorced..oh, the shame.

Growing up especially high school and my twenties, I had the same mentality. My face was covered in “war paint” and my hair had enough Aqua Net on it that if a match was lit within 2 feet I probably would have burnt to a crisp. Image death by hairspray. It’s seriously a wonder the girls of my generation weren’t toxic with the sprtiz and chemicals on our hair we inhaled and I should honestly have stock in Agua Net extra firm hold in the white can with the pink label. Of course, now I realize I had to wash and style my hair everyday because after shellacking my hair with that stuff, you couldn’t get a comb through it the next day and the dried flakes it made in your hair was disgusting. We didn’t have dandruff it was “the spray.”

Today, I still "war paint" myself up when necessary but if I am not going out, this chick doesn’t put on a stitch of makeup. I could care less who I see in Target because I hate going to Wal-mart. I’d rather be hit in the head with a wet squirrel than go there. I don’t dress up to venture to the grocery. And most days on the weekends, you will find me in a hat and ponytail because really, I am flat ironed right out. I actually have crazy curly hair. No not Taylor Swift crazy just naturally wavy hair that if blown dry naturally, me and Buckwheat from the Little Rascals could compete. Don’t get me wrong. I am a sucker for makeup. I love it. Just bought a whole lot of it recently (sucka). I have at least 5 curling irons, one for each type of small, medium and large curls I can twirl for beachy waves. I have enough hair products to make my hair stand up on its ends and now have learned the art of dry shampoo. But I am now realizing that beauty does come with without all the brushes and strokes. A little powder on the nose, some mascara and lipgloss and out the door I go. Let’s not get any wires crossed here, I think I look like death eating a cracker without my war paint, but I also see all these beautiful women barefaced and think gosh I wished my skin looked like that. So sometimes you gotta just let it breath and if people don’t love you for the inside then the façade on the outside will eventually break down.

I took this picture with the new phone just messing around. I posted another one on Friday that had been edited with software. But this photo really made me think about my clean, plain skin. I had no makeup on, I think a little mascara. But still knowing that I don’t get all gussied up like my grandmother or my mom, as a southern women I still apologize for not looking like a million bucks every single day. It’s just a southern thing, its second nature and I don’t think that will ever change in my generation or the next.

“To bare your true self is to see yourself in the purest form”.  Happy Monday loves.

Dusty

My week in Instagram and Pixlr

So you know I got my new iPhone and promised I would Instagram like a wild woman like a sale at Macy's. Well, I haven't gone overboard. I just really am still figuring out my phone. But I did some things. I also by the way of Miss Makaila over at Distinctly M downloaded the app, Pixlr. It's sooooo much fun. If you like Instagram you will love Pixlr. Of course, I have been living under a rock, so I am sure all you smart beauties know all about it. If so, work with me won't you?

And away we go, here's my roll..

Baby its cold outside, so we had a fire all weekend

Worthless guard dog #1, Mille

this is what you do at 84 years old..sleep

Worthless guard dog #2, Libby Lou

this is what you do at 2 years old..sleep

Sunday Funday consists of reading material

I think I would buy a pile of poop if it had her picture on it

Valentines Day

It said, "After all these years, you're still my favorite dessert"

I called this "breakfast"

Dedicated to Ruthie Hart

my stance against working on Valentines Day

no makeup Thursday

Pixlr is so fun because I actually looked like death on a stick

Awww, I know, I know, my first time and it's not jump off the pages, but boy was it fun. Pictures in any form make us so much more aware of the beauty of our surroundings. We can take anything and make it scrummy with a little fun and software. I wish you all a wonderful weekend. 

Hugs,

Dusty

Two Cents Thursdays

Oh, my goodness what a week. Since the weekend I have been asking myself, what’s up world?  I didn’t post yesterday. I usually do a faboo fashion post, but I was blank. It was love day, me and the kid ate Sonic burgers and snuggled and dad was working, so it was that kind of day to just say, “hey, I got nothing, so sue me.” I have read were some people have blogs for days in their que’s and I have a hard time with that because what I write about usually I either pondered it for a few days, made notes about it or it just mysteriously pops into my head. But if I decide to take a little one day break, I may have to think about that “save up blog post” for that day. Any hoot, let us not ponder it and since there was not fantabulous fashion post then you all can go naked.

Since its Thursday, hey, hey, hey as Fat Albert would say, let’s get all fly up in here. Gangsta talk in Nashville is funny. If you’re from Compton high five, if you’re from Nashville, well, enough said. I mean really? Although I did sign for a package on Tuesday from a guy with all gold teeth and he had on a sweatshirt that said “Hustler since 1974”. Maybe he’s gangsta? I believe I actually saw my first person ever with a grill. He didn’t talk gangsta. I wonder what he would have said, if this olive on a white cracker said, Yo, thanks, hope your day is rollin’!” Of course, he would have thought I was stupid. I would have looked stupid.  Oh, well, yo lets move on.

Did anyone watch the Grammy’s? I loved it…for most of the parts. I actually thought it was one of the best in a long time.  I mean who didn’t want to bring their milkshake to the yard when they saw Bruno Mars? Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, that song makes me want to kiss strange people right on the lips.  LL Cool J is one of those people that you would like to set down with and say, and your real name is what again? Love him. Lady Gaga, I can’t even.  The Beach Boys featuring Adam Levine. Well, Adam five minutes with you and I could roll you around in flour, dip your ends in chocolate and call you a cannolli. Yummy you are. I love the Beach Boys but that was when I took a slight break.  Chris Brown did a little jig and his ex Rhianna well at least she didn’t lip sync all her song.

Did anyone freak out when they thought Katy Perry’s song screwed up. I did. Fell for it, hook, line and sinker. But she’s cool even though her hair brings me back to the days of those blue icy cones you used to make with a kit and add blue or red flavoring to them.  Nikki Taj Mahal or whatever her name is? One word AWFUL. That was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. Some people apparently were offended by it. I wasn’t offended. I am pissed-  4 minutes of my life I can’t get back. And then, Jennifer Hudson. Wow! I cried. Whitney Houston passing away is shocking. We were watching The Voice Saturday night when it came across the screen. I don’t know what to think. I will never ever understand drugs. I just don’t.  I barely have enough money to live life. These people have all the money in the world, the attention and a lives to live beyond their imaginations and they destroy it with drugs. I feel for her daughter and her family, but as a mother the last thing I would ever want my child to see is me high as a giraffe's ass every day of his life until my poor body couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t know what happened. It’s not my place to say, except its sadness and it’s caused sadness around the world. Hopefully she is free from the demons and ghosts. But who rocked it out for me…..Adele! Hell-O. I have to confess, please don’t hate me. I just a month ago discovered her. I live in a world of Disney Channel and Kids Bop. I had heard Rolling in the Deep a ton but had no idea who sang it until, ding dong, I heard Someone Like you. I love her and that voice. It’s haunting and sad, yet original and raw.

And gawd finally, you know on your car mirrors where it says, objects appear closer than they are? I am so tupid! I was backing out the other day in the work parking lot, look up and slam on my brakes. I mean to the point of you heard my tires. My head flew forward almost hitting the steering wheel. I was about to back right into a Tahoe. I compose myself, look out the back window and see that I have plenty of room. Hello, dumb ass! I so totally looked around to see if anyone saw what I did, then took off like a bat out of hell. I seriously think there are black marks.

Well, Happy Thursday. What’s your two cents. It’s been a crazy week. Fill me in!

Hugs,

Dusty

The First

Do you remember your first crush? Your first love? Your first kiss? The night you fell in love or your first embrace? Love is a powerful thing. It takes your emotions to different levels. Your heart is more powerful than your head. We always chose our hearts first because that power is stronger. Love also takes on many colors, different levels of significance and the one power that we do have is to choose it or not. 

I remember my first crush, my first love, my first kiss with the man in my life and I am so lucky because I got to relive those same emotions the day my son was born. So you see love comes at different times in our lives and when you feel it that very second, you own it one hundred percent.

I love this video. It reminds me of the first time for everything that every made my heart swell and at that very second, I owned the night.

Happy Valentines Day, 

Dusty

Yahoo! I got it!

I have multiple wish lists and have hem hawing around about this one on my list for quite some time. I have asked friends, electronic geeks, read reviews and gone back and forth over this little puppy. The great debate of Droid vs iPhone. Pro's and Con's of having each one and which would fit best in my life and my blog. After much debate, I decided on the iPhone! Yahoo! I am sure everyone that I have drove nuts talking about it is finally please that I finally made a choice.

I have wanted an white, not black, white iPhone since I saw them. It had to be white because they are pretty and girly. I will look like I have knowledge and be kind of fancy doing so. I have loathed my Blackberry for the last year. I stepped on it at Christmas so the screen was shattered and every time someone saw it they couldn't believe it still worked and asked me repeatedly, "Dusty, when are you going to get a new phone?" My reply, "When I shit a money tree!" Well, I tried but when my tree didn't grow, I depended on Uncle Sam who we all know isn't my uncle but because I made so little and have a kid, he got together with some of his friends and decided I would get a refund, thus I had the money to purchase this little piece of technology.

I walked right into the store, said what I wanted, the guy knew I meant business, didn't ask me any questions, I showed him my other phone, jokingly asked if I could sell it back to them in which he looked at me like I had four heads, I said, it was a joke and we moved on to the purchase. I walked out of there thinking I was hot snot, got in my car and realized that jerk wad didn't show me jack crap about the dang thing. I couldn't even figure out how to make a damn call. So after setting in the parking lot with Ian rushing me to go to Target, I figure out how to make a call (on speaker phone because I had to take off the plastic thing to hear) and away I went! I am NOT mechanically inclined. The fact that I even set up this blog is a miracle in itself and I still don't know how to do everything. I just figured out that the edit HTML is where you can embed links from Pinterest. I had researched that on Google. I am by no means I don't think stupid but machinery with buttons, lights and whistles do not process in my brain until I eff them up big time.

After our adventure to Target in which I was afraid to put it in my purse, came home and started fooling around with it. Also, if you know me, manuals are not in my realm of thinking. If I would just read the manual to my new camera I could figure out how it worked, but I don't. I do things trial by error and hoped to gosh it works out.

I figured out how to dial a call, text and check my email, which took 20 minutes to program because the sales rep couldn't figure out my email..I repeated it over and over at one time I was going to look at everyone in the store and say, "everyone repeat after me "girlslovefriedpickles at gmail dot com., I downloaded apps and Angry Birds for Ian to play, programmed my notifications sounds and ring tones and I am an iPhone fool ever since. I still have no clue how to do some things. I had to Google how to log out my Twitter and come to find out you don't. Duh!

So, I have entered the Apple world. I think I catapulted myself into a whole new league to pretend that I know how Apple products works. NOT! I will just confess, that I wanted a fancy white phone that had Instagram and be done with this because I truly can't lie and say, I wanted it because it had the capabilities to drive my own car. I wanted it because it looks pretty on my ear and I might figure out one day how to fully operate the dang thing. Until then truth hurts, I got it to be Fancy damn it, work with me!

Here she is. I think I should name her, not sure what yet, something sophisticated yet redneck princess. You know maybe I shall check my family tree and see what names have been passed down from generations that way she feels important.

I also pinned this case on my Pinterest forever ago. While dreaming for this phone, I knew I wanted something pretty (you know cause I don't care about breaking the dang thing as long as its pretty) kind of like new shoes. They hurt your feet but you look good so shut up and fight threw the pain. I chose this one...

Source: tibi.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

It's gonna have to wait a few days at $54 smacks and paying a whopping chunk of money, I gotta recover from just the shock of using my credit card and that amount of money coming out of my checking account. Any hoot, there she is one item off my wish list. Actually, a few things came off my wish list this weekend. The weather was so cold and snowy and it forced me to online shop, but I saved up for those things and got lots of discounts and items on sale. 

The only thing I can say is the battery life isn't so wonderful. That may be just me because I have been on it constantly, but it seems it eats alotInstagramming like a crazy woman and can't wait to post those pictures. So, please someone tell me where or if there is place to dump those photos for awesome collages coming to a blog near you.

Happy Monday! Did you do any shopping this weekend? 

Hugs,

Dusty

Hello Friday, I've needed you!

TGIF! I know everyone is saying that today. I don't anyone that says, "Oh, I love you Tuesday, thank Gawd your here." Why? Cause that be tupid! It's going be cold here in the land of Tennessee like a low of 19 Saturday night, so my very fluffy ass will be setting in the homestead with a blazing fire, probably reading blogs, Pinteresting and contemplating a workout plan. After this week, I got get moving. We are going to the beach and  fluff muffin needs to move it. 

I have one little announcement, its just so huge. I realized I have wrote my 100th blog post. Actually 104. I missed it. But I thought I would jump well, mimic jumping and share that exciting, drink worthy news. What the heck, I am going to have a Mt. Dew for the occasion. 

Well, last week I did a post where I picked my top favorite blog posts and had from my standards a great response, so I thought I would do it again. Only this time, I am going to pick three that way you don't get bored to death before the end of this 104th post. If you are one of my beautiful followers, then just leave me some love anyway. It's share day and I know you got the memo.

Stupid Cool

Read it and find out if your Stupid Cool

Smashing Party

My experience with a mammogram

Ditch the LBD

My ousting of the little black dress

So there you have it. I hope you have a great weekend. Fluffy here is going to do the best she can at doing nothing which will end up being something. Happy Friday, friends.

Two Cents Thursdays

Thursday are one more day until Friday and it makes the anticipation worse. Come on Friday. Until then, here's my weekly thoughts for this Two Cents Thursday edition.

I have read a ton of blog posts this week on blogging tips. Do this, don't do that and I am soaking them all in. One of the unanimous things that I have read is about the comments box and verifying with a verification word. I took mine off along time ago because I read many months ago that its a detour for people that want to comment without going through the process. Either way its fine with me. I want a comment box that you just enter the information, hit post and wallah, but dumb girl here can't figure out how to get it. Anyway, I commented on a blog the other day and the verification word was "trannie." I busted out belly laughing. 

The last of our Super Bowl leftovers are gone, thank you baby Jesus. I feel like a human garbage disposal this week.

Ian's birthday was Tuesday. The big 7. When asked were he wanted to eat for his birthday, he said Five Guys Restaurant. This made me giddy. Love a good hamburger. We walked in and saw 3 guys and a girl... is that false advertising? Pondering...

I bought a jump rope for a dollar at Target. Chad looks at me and says, "what are you going to do with that?" Really honey? I thought I would practice lassoing fake bullhorns out in the yard.. I love him so much but I think from now on I should refer to him as "Duh."

I had a follower on Twitter that unfollowed me. Frantic, I was like who would do that how rude. Then realized it was some guy for whom I had no idea who he was. That's ok, DUDE, you weren't that interesting or I would have followed you back. Jerk.

And finally, do people return things to the grocery store? I bought lip gloss, got it home and I look like a ho-dawg, but I feel weird taking it back. I mean Target can put some tape on it and throw it in the half price bin, but I can't bring myself to bring my Hooker Lane lip polish back to the grocery. I mean what am I going to say when I have to tell them why? Oh, its a beautiful color for street walking and please don't take my gas points away? I'll pass and 8 bucks down the drain. I could have ate more cupcakes.

Well, that's my spiel this week. Hope everyone has a great Thursday. What's your two cents?

Hugs,

Dusty

PS..Happy Birthday to my friend, Wendy. Your support and friendship means the world to me. Thank you for always being there, reading and being one of my biggest fans. 

Flared Pretty

When I was little I had these blue, pink and white flower pants and ruffle shirt with ABC's on it. I tried to find a picture but that was impossible in my attic, plus I think my mom has it. Any hoot, I wore it all the time. I am not sure if it was by choice or if my mom just kept it in quick rotation with three kids to take care of but I remember it vividly. Plus, I had this long naturally curly hair which by the way I flat iron every day and my mom just stuck a barrette in it and off I went to school rats nest and all. That was the 70's and now 30 years later, its back in style. Except now, we use a big barrel curling iron to make those beachy waves and pay big bucks for those fashions that were said by several they would never wear again.

This weekend while Pinteresting (usually on a Friday nights while the kid watches Smackdown, yuck) I was looking through my pins and came across this one photo which led me to the inspiration for this weeks post and some spring ideas. When I pinned this photo in a matter of five minutes it was repinned like 22 times for a total overall of 39. Now I know that's not a record but I was kind of thrilled that someone loved the photo as much as I did. For some reason, I want to recreate this look, hair color and all. Which my hair is pretty similar in fakeness. I am also pretty sure that I can find a cheap knock off of the Ray Bans cause Moma can't deal out the dough for the realzies and fake tan myself into oblivion. Isn't she purty? Pretend its me, mmmkay?

Source: weheartit.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

So I immediately became nostalgic and started looking for some cool-mo-de outfits and shoes...on a budget of course. I started scanning the stores and came across this outfit at Kohl's.

Source: kohls.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

These jeans are $34 smackers and I ordered them. I read the reviews and overall they got good marks. Does anyone else read clothing reviews? I literally found a pair of shoes once that were over a hundred dollars and marked down to $25 and didn't buy them because the reviews sucked. Now, I know I am one of those people that will sometimes forgo the practical for hot to trotness, but I got it stuck in my head and told myself no. Still a little sad about it..hold on let me have a moment and a little wine sip. Also, does anyone think the way she's standing is odd? Look at her stomach? Well, I guess she got paid to look like she's a distorted Barbie. Moving on... I then found these shoes. I haven't made up my mind on these, but I am digging them and think they would be cute with some sweet dresses this summer and those jeans. These puppies will have to go on sale because they are $74 smacks, but they are in the back of my mind. What do ya think?

Source: kohls.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

So, there you have my style picks for this week. Hooker heels and jeans with an extra wide leg that I am sure were designed really to keep the air flowing for coolness to the crotch area in the dead heat of summer. You know Kohl's could just be nice and send these to me so I can write my own review. Ha! What's your style this week? I hope you have a great Wednesday. 

Hugs,

Dusty

linked up the pleated poppy n rolled up pretty

Dear Ian

Dear Ian Gage,

This is a letter to you. I hope one day you will read it and understand why I love you so much. On the day I found out you were going to be in my life, I ran down the hall, not bothering to pull my pants up. I showed it to daddy and the journey began. You definitely gave us quite a scare. At 8 weeks pregnant, we were so excited to hear your heartbeat and it wasn't there. We left that day, with tears thinking our struggle for 9 months to have you could be over. They told us to wait two more weeks and come back. By that time daddy was having his surgery and I had to go face what I thought was the end, instead I heard it. Your heart beat. Strong and fast. With no one to comfort me, it was only later that I realized that in that moment by myself that me and your heartbeat we were a team. 

Ian you made me fat! I was swollen, I ate enough pancakes that my pours seeped out syrup. I craved breakfast; eggs, bacon, cereal and biscuits at 3 am, three meals a day. Sonic knew me by name and I thought you would be shaped like a peanut because I ate so much peanut butter. 

That year it was the Summer Olympics. Before we knew you were a boy, we had a list on our refrigerator of names. Sloan and Ava for a girl, Tate and Gabe for a boy. Daddy didn't like any of them. We found out you were a boy. I knew it in my heart, but every sign told us you were a girl. The heart beat, the Chinese needle trick, the way I carried you. Wrong, but I was thrilled either way. We came home and talked about names and watched the Olympics every day. I knew I wanted to name you something with a story behind it. Someone strong, someone that when you needed confidence, you could look to a hero and how you became who your were. There was a gold medal swimmer named Ian Thorpe from Australia. He was on fire. I don't remember how many medals he won, but I knew then your first name would be Ian. I have told you that story before but I can't wait until you become of an age, that I can tell you why. Ian Thorpe was a hero to his country and the world. He was strong, confident and courageous. He worked hard to get to where he was. He was a fighter and he accepted winning or losing with dignity. That's why your name is Ian. Your middle name is a nod to daddy loving trucks, cars, grease and being dirty...thus Ian Gage, a boy name was created. I hope you take that and apply what he represented in your own life. And when you think you can't try anymore, read his story to lift you up and make you a great boy to a man.

Because of complications, you came early..a month early. I was so scared. But as frightened as I was, I was so relieved. There you were dark hair, sounding like a duck, and healthy. When you came out the first thing I a said was, "oh, god he's got his daddy's hairline!" Please understand, I was in shock, there you were, I couldn't feel anything from the neck down. I had you via C-section and honestly I just wanted you out. They took you away and I made daddy leave me. He stayed by my side the whole time, holding my hand, but I wanted his eyes on you at all times. I couldn't hold you right away. I had to rest because I wasn't doing well. You were born at 8:38 am, but I didn't get to hold you until 6 pm. I couldn't wait. I cried tears of joy. You were perfect. I looked up at daddy and said, "look what we made."

I held you every second. I rocked you. You weren't a fussy baby. You loved it when I patted your butt and sang you to sleep. Now you tell me to stop singing. I used to tell you, we would "nuggle" and then we would both fall asleep in the rocking chair. Your smell, the eyes, that giggle. It was infections and I became a lioness to protect you instantly.

Then came the birthdays, you with this curly blond hair, you walked as soon as you turned a year old. On your first Halloween I dressed you up in a cow costume. Your second birthday you received a Wiggles car in which you screamed in excitement which made me cry again. You loved fruit and yogurt. You still do. You would tell me things were "bwoke". You loved to dance, being out doors, swinging and your wagon. I loved showing you off.

Now here we are. Your seven. Your a challenge, but one I love. Your funny like me, but dance like your father (very stiff). Your talented and smart. You still love the outdoors. Your kind hearted but stubborn. You are already brave. So my message to you is this. We love you so much. When you remind me at night to give you a hug and kiss before going to bed melts my heart. I demand you to clean your room and to be respectful and sometimes I don't hold you to it, but I do demand this. I demand that you have happiness. That you grow up to be respectful with manners. I demand that you love who you want to love and be whatever you want to be.  I demand that no matter what you come to me or daddy  and we will always be understanding. I demand you to be kind and fair and invite people into your heart regardless. I demand you not judge others but realize that we are all equal but stand up for what you believe in. I demand that you believe that all things are possible. In the end, I demand we always be a team. Happy Birthday my sweet boy.

Love,

Mommy

a week old

first birthday

 

age 2

age 3

age 4

age 5

age 6

my pants are too tight

This weekend, specifically yesterday during the Super Bowl, I did my butt no justice. I sat on it and ate a feast. I guess the jump rope I bought at Target this weekend has a purpose now. Of course how can you not set back watch the SB and not enjoy good company and good food? You can't. It's a unwritten rule. You must gorge yourself beyond recognition, assume the turtle position on the couch which is your backside and not move until bedtime. Here's a little snippet of our day and a recipe. Hope everyone had a super Sunday.

I have no choice but to cheer for the this team. My love is a Yankee and an avid Patriots fan.

We smoked out the neighborhood with this little ditty. We have one that's even bigger, but we didn't want the fire department to be called. Plus, this was my step dad's who just passed away. I wished he was here to use it or at least eat the Boston Butt we made out of it. 

We then ate until our bellies were extended beyond our belt buckles and I think I even licked my fingers clean.

There was ham sammies, sausage balls, bacon and cheese dip, pasta salad, Boston Butt pulled pork sandwich's, and Mexican Corn dip. Here is the recipe for the dip which is so easy and quick.

2 cans Fiesta Corn

1 cup sour cream

2 cups Mexican Cheese

1 4 oz green chilies

1 4 oz jalapeno peppers

Mix corn, sour cream, 1 cup of cheese, chilies and jalapeno peppers. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour into oven safe bowl, sprinkle remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is bubbly. Serve with Tostitos scoops.

After eating all that, I ate this sweet beauty. Say hello to my little friend...red velvet cupcake.

Yes, I ate every morsel and I don't regret it a minute. Now it's time to get on that workout. We enjoyed the Super Bowl and the commercials especially the Doritos commercials and the E Trade Baby. They are always a favorite. I would love to say that I hope everyone used restraint and didn't eat as much as I did, but I hope you all ate until you turned into ticks. I know its not nice, but if I have to suffer so should everyone else. Happy Monday my friends. 

Love,

Dusty

An award, a Q&A and Blogger Exchange..oh my

Happy Super Bowl Sunday. I don't usually blog on Sundays, but I am a little behind and thought I would do a little catch up. This blog is a three parter (is that even a word?) An award, a Q & A, and bloggy party exchange.

First, I wanted to give a shout out to some sweethearts that bestowed the lovely Liebster Blog Award to me. I loved receiving this award and do not care how many times I do. It's great to be recognized by your friends. Erika over at Erika Inez and Bethany at Life So Sweet are adorable. I love following their blogs. Erika has a great husby and cutie patootie fur babies and Bethany is a beautiful Cali girl full of fun adventures. They are new to the blogging world so show them some love won'tcha?

Next I was tagged in two separate games floating around the blogging community. I thought I would answer the questions for all to see so I combined them both together. I am not good with tagging and choosing. I hated having to choose other bloggers for awards because I really believe we all deserve it. So no tags, but thank you my sweet Anna at A Sweet Southern Mess and Halle at Classic + Glam.

Here's my 411 peeps....

Who tagged you? Anna & Halle

What is the main idea of your blog? It's a lifestyle blog. Full of things I love, want to share and full of laughter. Laughter really is the best medicine.People have asked where the name comes from. Seriously, where to women end up when they get together? Around a table eating good food, gossipping, catching up on their lives and enjoying each other's company. 

What are your top 3 places to shop? Target, Kohls, JCP. If there was an H&M store in Tennessee it would be empty. I can promise you that. I am so looking forward to the online shopping coming later this year.

If you got $500 what would you spend it on? Hunter Boots, flare jeans, maxi dresses for summer, new Too Faced Makeup kit, iphone. 

Flats or heels? Heels

Favorite color (be specific!)? Pink

Favorite blogger of the moment and why? Oh, I can't answer that one. I love them all. How about I say me. I am feeling frisky on this Sunday.

One of the goals you have for your blog? Just grow, have sponsors and show that all women can be fabulous with themselves, on a budget, and inspire.

When did you start blogging? August 2011. I actually attempted to back in May of last year then got a little scared. Then decided to make some changes in my life and went for it. So glad I did.

Who do you tag? No one. 

What is your favorite place to eat at? Right now its Five Guys.. I love hamburgers..love love.

Do you have a favorite quote? Only you can change yourself. Why is it so important to you? I tell my friends all they time, nobody can change you, only you can make the change for the difference. You control your own fate. 

What is your life goal? Happiness. 

Where are you from? Middle Tennessee. about 20 minutes from Nashville.

What is your favorite music to listen to? I love all music. I listen to country most of the time. I like old classics as well, you know Bon Jovi, the hair bands. 

Any books you've read lately? You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start In the Morning, Celia Rivenbock. She and I are very similar. My friend Missy recommended her series to me. She said, "Dusty, this women is so you. She says some of the same things you would say and reacts the same way you would react". And she is right. This book is a belly laugh.

Got any plans for this summer? Just enjoy it. Family trip to the beach.

What is your least favorite color? Lime Green (I don't do neon colors) 

What is your favorite dish that you always look forward to at holidays? Hashbrown casserole. I use Monterrey Jack and Colby cheese. It really makes it so much better than just cheddar.

Favorite TV shows? Revenge and the Real Housewives of wherever.

What is the food that you dislike the most? Green beans

What is one thing that is on your bucket list? Be published. I would love to just write one article for a magazine or paper. 

And finally, I was paired up with a sweet blogger Leigh at VeryLoveLeigh for the 2012 New Year Blogging party over at the The Crowley Party. I received my package with the cutest note.. she said, "I wish I could buy you the Hunter boots, but I am not rich". I belly laughed out loud. Leigh is a beautiful blogger with some awesome fashion posts. This is what she sent. All of my favorite elements. She's a doll. Thank you Leigh! 

Swoosh, that's it for this Sunday. Stay tuned tomorrow with some great Super Bowl recipes. I can't wait for the commercials. Happy Sunday everyone.

Love,

Dusty

Back in the Beginning

I have gained some awesome followers the last few weeks. I am one of those ding dongs that when I join a blog,  basically the whole weekend is spent going threw the whole kit n kaboodle. Well, maybe not every post but I will take a month pick a few posts, to get to know that person. So, I thought why wouldn't it be fun to give the newbies a quick wrap up of some of my favorite posts because in reality not everyone is a dork like me and wants to get to know everyone they read. But I am new myself, probably blogger naive and so just please let me live in this fantasy for a bit longer won't you?

Before I start, you will see on my blog I have categories. I file all my posts under one of these categories. If you click at the top, it will tell you what each category means, then you will understand why they are filed the way they are. 

So here are my top 5. Thank you everyone for following along. I have made some great friends even though I don't get to see or meet you in person. I love following your stories, fashion posts, recipes, beauty bits, inspirational words and everything in between.

What's In My Bag

My very first post. I had this in my head for weeks. I knew exactly what my first post would be.

No Leg Waxing in my Future

This was a tragedy in itself

Two Cents Thursday - Rachel Zoe edition

Although people will probably gasp..oh, how could she, its one of my best and I do like her BTW 

A Different Kind of Thankful

I read the story of this and cried my eyes out. I cannot tell you how much I love this story being an animal lover. I still look at it and my heart fills up with the hidden message of this that should be applied to friends of human kind.

What if?

One of my favorite fashion posts.

So there you have it. My top 5. Hope you enjoy and it intrigues you enough to read more. This is my shout out to all you fabulous bloggers out there! Big hugs and thank you for welcoming me into your world. 

Love you bunches,

Dusty

Two Cents Thursdays

I have been a bit under the weather this week. But I have done my best to keep up. Did you notice that I didn't post on Tuesday. Nope, that was for a reason, but I am going to hold off on that reasoning until the weekend to see if it rectifies itself. So my Two Cents this week is somewhat light. 

First, we did our taxes last weekend. As excited as I am to see if I will get any money back, I then become depressed of all the things I have to pay for with the money. I don't understand Uncle Sam. Your not my Uncle. I researched my family tree. You are not there. Not even an acorn that fell off the tree. Your a pain in the ass like a long lost cousin, who comes out of the woodwork when a wedding or a funeral comes around. We aren't friends and never will be and you and your slut buddy FICA can kiss my @$%&! 

Next, why do they call our sweet computer's laptops? I don't know about you, but if I hold my laptop in my lap, it becomes an easy bake oven and my thighs become hot turkey legs. 

I can admit I haven't seen one episode of Grey's Anatomy. Nope not even 10 minutes. I click  over to the channel, attempt 20 seconds and turn it. Sorry, don't yell. Gawd!

And finally, because I wasn't feeling well, I laid in bed all day yesterday and watched enough Discovery Channel to last me a few days. I love the ID channel, the true stories of love triangles, Dateline mysteries and the new show Dark Minds. But I have to say this, there are some crazy people in this world. I mean we are all a little screwy, but these people are missing alot of screws. Like chain link fences. I am going to build a very tall fence around my house, put pad locks on all my doors, put a GPS tracking chip in my son and live off the land. 

Well, that's my two cents. Give me the skinny on your two cents. Anything interesting, you know, things that make you go, huh? Have a great Thursday and a great February!

Love,

Dusty

Hey Homeslice

You have heard me talk about our remodeling/redecorating our house. We don't live in a huge house. We went from 3,000 square feet to 1,200 square feet when the economy tanked. I miss having a big house, but I also love cozy spaces. I love the look of coastal homes. I don't necessarily mean the beach, I mean the rustic homes up north - Cape Code cottages, Kennebunkport, Maine cabins, and old farmhouses. I dream of one day having a lake house but until then, my little home here on a street filled with speeding cars and asphalt will have to do. We have accomplished one element and that is our hallway. With little fingers, the walls in our house are always getting washed down. So a fresh coat of paint was in order. Once the decor is up, I will post a picture. Right now I am looking for an old row boat oar for a DIY project. Here are a few ideas I am toying with for different elements of each room and a fantastic find.

I am obsessed with having a farmhouse sink. It will happen in my lifetime. Our kitchen is a cream color with a whitewash stain. I would love this little addition. I just have to figure out how it would work.

Source: HDTV.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

Next on my list is a bench. I have a rustic table similar to this one and 4 chairs. We love company and when we have people over for dinner, I have to drag out two chairs from the spare rooms. This is on my antiquing list for this summer. 

Source: potterybarn.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

I have a thing with paisley. I think its the boho girl in me. We have a rustic coach, love seat and chair with ottoman with these wonderful vintage iron nail heads in a scroll on the arms, but after having these for 6 years, flying boys, and animals, they are in need of a redo. I have decided to keep the base of these pieces the same and recover and restuff the cushions. I found this fabric pattern and hopefully with those sewing lessons I am taking from my mom, by Fall hopefully we will be fluffed up.

Source: fabric.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

I love this LOVE photograph. I found it on another blog, researched where it was sold and then about crapped my pants when I found out how much it was. I wanted to write the site and say, "honey bunnies, I am sure this is a top selling item, in rich land, but this girl is a design on a dime kind of girl." So, I have an idea on how to make this myself and it doesn't cost $150 smackers.

Source: theletteredcottage.net via Girls Love on Pinterest

Finally, my fantastic find. My splurge vs. steal. I pinned this duvet from the Pottery Barn sight back at Christmas and it has been repinned like Eeyore the donkey's tail. While in Kmart (you know the place I got my fantab clogs), I came across this marked down to $14.99 and swiped it up.

Here is the one from Pottery Barn no longer available but I am sure probably in the $200 range for the set.

Source: potterybarn.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

And here is my steal from Kmart. Although not exact, it still is a great find. And it looks so yummy on my bed. Our bedroom is a deep chocolate brown. I am going to mix it with the teal blue and some throw pillows maybe in burlap.

Source: kmart.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

So that's my ideas so far for my little cottage redo. Have you been thinking about your own home? Maybe its spring fever, maybe its just needing a new look, but I am so loving the home ideas.


Happy Wednesday friends!

Love,

Dusty


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