Project Life Filler Page

For the longest time, there was a tune that kept playing in my head that I knew was from my childhood but just couldn't remember. Years later, when I was in my teens, my best friend from high school and I were listening to her father's record collection when I heard it again and knew -- that's the one -- the missing link in my music past! It was: Jet Airliner by Steve Miller Band. My parents were big fans, and I remember it playing in the car on a fall day and Mom singing along.

I decided to create a Project Life page for Ellie with just a list of her favorite songs as a baby. I know this doesn't cover all of them. We're a very musical family! Still, it will be a good starting point if she ever wants to explore her musical past.

I used digital supplies from the Shabby Princess (background, yellow flower, tape for banner, and note paper) and Doodle Craft (frame - check out their site for more antique frames)!

Greta

Growing up with a name like Gretchin wasn't easy. In a class with 15 Jennifers, 5 Laurens, and 4 Kristas, Gretchin was the weird name. Jennifers had straight hair and pretty features, nice clothes, and were well spoken. Laurens were smart, beautiful, and nice to everyone. Kristas were sweet, funny, and loyal friends.

Gretchin was goofy, awkward, quiet, had big, unruly hair, and laughed too loud (especially for being so quiet).

Even now, being removed from the high school stereotypes and cliques, I have trouble escaping my insecurities tied to the name Gretchin. I'm at a point in my life where I feel like, to quote Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, "I'm not Holly. I'm not Lula Mae. I don't know who I am!"

On the outside, I'm mostly Gretchin (applying previously mentioned Gretchin-traits). On the inside, I'm more of a Holly.

I think we all are, really. I just let my Gretchin side rule most days -- safe, calm, life-in-a-bubble days. My Holly side is free to roam in the comfort of my own home -- silly, loud, free-speaking, telephone-in-a-suitcase moments.

Okay, so the point is that I'm changing. ...And, more often lately, my Holly side is showing. It feels good! Though I wouldn't call my alter ego Holly. She's more of a Greta -- edgy, witty, quick-thinking, fun-loving, swearing-like-a-sailor, may-have-once-been-a-truck-driver Greta!

She is the Gina of Empire Records, my I Love Lucy, my Holly. She's a little Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Zach Galifianakis.

But it's not quite enough to just feel that way. I need to push myself more, to let my me-flag fly!

And I vow (gulp) to let her shine more often. Allow me to continue to refer to myself in the 3rd person when I say: Gretchin is terrified of this proposal.

Towanda!!

How?? Why?

HOW is it that, over the past 3 months, every time I've gotten anything from the local cafe, there is an egg shell in it?

 

If you're making an omelette, I understand. Things move pretty quickly in the kitchen. A rushed egg-cracker may inadvertently drop a shell in the pan. I was even understanding when, in my egg and cheese sandwich, I found half of an egg shell, sticking out of the side of the sandwich!

 

I decided to stick to scones for awhile, with a hot cup of tea. Ahh...

 

This morning, I actually got an egg shell in my scone. HOW does that happen? How do you not notice, while cracking eggs for a batch of scones, that an egg shell dropped in? What's next, egg shells in my tea? My tuna sandwich?!

 

And WHY do I keep eating there? I guess because the food is cheap, and I am a hungry optimist!

Maybe

God led me to this spot, or maybe I'm seeking the good in the world. Maybe it's the same thing!

Regardless, follow your heart, look both ways, and watch for signs!

Blog Swap - Late to the Party!

Blog swap time! Lorraine of Late to the Party is my blog swap partner for the @20SB "Summer Vacation" blog swap. I love her writing style, and her blog is great too! Here is her post! And mosey on over to her site to read about my Summer of Mischief!

Most of my summer breaks as a child were spent in a sleep/eat/stay in pajamas 90% of the day cycle. If this sounds like a complaint to you, that means you don’t know me at all. Hello, I’m Lorraine. I like sleeping, eating and pajamas. It’s nice to meet you.

But this post isn’t about watching back to back episodes of Dawson’s Creek all summer, or that one time my sisters and I took to watching soap operas. This post is about a magical summer, when we piled into my uncles sandy-poop colored mini-van and all took off to Disney World.

Guys: DISNEY WORLD.

I was seven and three quarters on that trip, so my memories are mostly hazy, interrupted here and there by a burst of clarity.

For instance, I clearly remember the outfit my mother bought for me and my sisters, because hell yes, we were all matching. Light washed, high waisted, to the knee shorts, a white shirt with a huge Mickey Mouse on it (tucked in), white keds, and a yellow, blue and red Mickey Mouse hat. A hat, I might add, which I thought would be best worn TO THE SIDE, with my ponytail conviently located on the other side of my head.


I also clearly remember riding on Splash Mountain for the first time and being so scared that in the picture they snap of you mid-fall, I had my head almost between my knees. I would later claim to be trying to save my mother’s hat, which did fall off, but conveniently landed at my feet while I was busy screaming my head off and basically dying.

I remember begging my parents for an autograph book, mostly because my uncle bought my cousins one. My parents were very anti-paying a million dollars for a book of plain paper so that adults in cartoon costumes could scribble on it. I see that now, but back then, it was all pouts and stamped feet. I eventually got one, but it was so late in the day, that the only character I found was Pluto.

Perhaps some of you are reading this account wondering why I chose this as the best vacation of my childhood. “That’s kind of lame, Lorraine,” you are thinking. But it wasn’t because:

1.) We took precious few vacations together, all as a family. When we did travel, it was mostly to visit family. This was different. It was us, together, with no obligations other than having fun.

2.) As someone who’s spent most of her life in Florida, Disney World has grown to hold a special place in my heart. Every time I walk into Magic Kingdom and see the castle, I still feel like the six year old with the sideways hat and side ponytail.

3.) It was one of the only summers we spent away, even if it was only three hours to the northwest. I had a story to tell when school started that year that didn’t start with, “On Days of Our Lives...”

The moral of the story is: everyone should go to Disney World.

Fantastic Offer from Eshakti!

Hey guys! Eshakti has a special offer for my readers!
Use promo code YX26XRD to get 10% off when you shop at eShakti - valid till 31st July, 2012. This code can be used in addition to the existing up to 40% OFF Sale.

I get credits toward my next purchase each time you buy, too! Woohoo!

www.eshakti.com  Here I am again in my custom-made 1950s-style house dress!

Happy Shopping!

Insta-fun!

Yep, I've joined the Instagram gang! User: UrMomIsStrange

Eshakti.com Custom-Made Dress Review

It looks like I am one of many bloggers who have reviewed Eshakti! But, hey, free dress, so I'm thrilled!

I have to preface this review by saying that my husband and I are both a bit skeptical about online shopping. For ordering books and computer equipment, it's fine, but I rarely buy clothes online. I have a "unique" figure, so when I shop for clothes, I prepare myself for a physically and emotionally draining day of trying on outfits in a department store.

All I want is a fairy godmother to come to my house, take one look at my body, and, knowing my exact measurements, wave her magic wand to create the perfect dress for me. I'd also like her to coddle me and tell me that my thighs aren't too big. Is that too much to ask?!

I honestly thought so until I tried Eshakti.com! They have completely changed my perspective about online clothes shopping. They custom make dresses and other articles of clothing (mainly tops) using your measurements -- and at a reasonable price.

When you go to the site, you can browse the clothing available. They have many classic styles and some more-modern pieces too. I've always wanted my own 1950s, I Love Lucy house dress, so I picked a similar style.

The site prompted me for my measurements. Eshakti suggests having someone else measure you and offers clear instructions for measuring. I had no help at the time, but with the use of a mirror, I was able to do it on my own and make sure the measuring tape was straight.

I entered the measurements on the site and experimented with the other custom options for the dress like sleeve length and skirt length. Including the time to measure myself, the entire process took about a half hour, but the site saves your measurements for future purchases... And I didn't have to spend 2+ hours in a dressing room!

My dress arrived via DHL today. I've heard some complaints about DHL, but this is the one (and only) shipping company to call me the day before they were making a delivery to make sure that I'd be home to accept the package or that it was okay to leave it at the door. So, I actually received my package... in back woods Vermont! I was happy!

The dress came in a small, compact box. I immediately tried it on, and it fit beautifully! I love this dress!

Sometimes I have to be my own fairy godmother, and Eshakti was kind enough to help! They can't coddle you and tell you that your thighs look beautiful, but you won't need them to when you're wearing your custom-fit dress. You'll feel beautiful, in clothes made just for you!

Better pics to come!

Woohoo!!

I got my eshakti.com custom-made dress today! Complete product review and pics to come, but spoiler-alert... I'm in love with this dress!