STYLE INSPIRATION

I have been playing on a website POLYVORE.com where you can mix and match items from all over the world and by different price ranges, etc.   All of it is completely buyable though.  I have SO much fun on this site.  It really helps you create a style all your own!   Here are a few sets I made!

retro peach classy by juliajax featuring quilted handbags

Summer Vacation by juliajax featuring a racer back tank

Horse Race by juliajax featuring retro vintage dresses

Bad Girl by juliajax featuring flower jewelry

Grocery store / Stay at home mom by juliajax featuring a navy handbag

The last one was inspired by Jonathan on Saturday. I told him to give me a situation for an outfit. He said "stay at home mom going to the grocery store" lol. :)

the weekend is here!

This weekend is going to be fun!   I am helping to host a bridal shower/lingerie shower for my BFF Lauren.  It's at the Brentwood Country Club on Sunday.  Her step-sister Shasta is also hosting.  I am going to need to provide most of the food.  My good friend Dana is going to help me since she is much more of an expert when it comes to party foods & trays.  We will do most of that Saturday morning.  Saturday night Jonathan, I and James have dinner plans with my co-worker friend.  She is making us dinner and we plan on talking to them about her husbands job as a nurse for the VA.  Jonathan is seriously considering going back to school for that.  I'm, of course, all for it.  I just want him to be happy with whatever he does so that he doesn't get bored of it and want to move on. 

I'm headed to eat lunch with Lauren today.  We sort of started a new tradition since she happens to work RIGHT down the street from my work.  We go to lunch together once a week.  It's GREAT!  I hardly would see her otherwise with her moving and getting ready for the big day, etc.  Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Inspiration

Valentine's cont'd

This morning I made the bacon hearts recipe (add bacon + love) and bake for 18 minutes and some Martha White blueberry cheesecake muffins for breakfast.  It was the best tasting and easiest Valentine's breakfast in the history of Valentine's breakfasts!  Here is what it turned out like:

Of course, that is with the "I'm soda crazy about you" card and 8 pack ;)     The CORNIER the better!  This past weekend I made hot dog hearts in the oven.  That wasn't as exciting because as I made them I realized you kinda want a bun with your dog and if you make it like a heart you have to take it back apart to put on a bun... 
Jonathan surprised me with yet another gift yesterday. It's a gift certificate to get a mani & pedi in Green Hills.  I'm thrilled to get to use that. 
Tonight on the menu (I did the grocery shopping last night to save time) I am making:

~Steak (rib-eye)

~fresh broiled asparagus (salt, pepper, olive oil, oven.)

~sweet SUPER sweet potatoes (vanilla, marshmallows, cinnamon, brown sugar)

~chocolate chip cookies

~wine (shiraz)

~Valentine~

Well, the surgery was put off.  We are waiting to get proper paperwork from the army before proceeding.  On another note I sent out Valentine's cards to some of our friends and co-workers.  There were 2 kinds.  They were fun to make, I admit.  I wish I would have bought more and more stamps but it starts adding up for sure.   Here is the front to the one I liked the most.

Here is the back

It's a little dark in this picture.  It was a light pink and white font.

I created them on http://www.mpix.com/

I also created a card for Jonathan that I am going to attach to a case of Coca-Cola's because he loves them so much and I NEVER buy sodas for the house.  I just love using MS Publisher to create things now!

Jonathan bought me some new sneakers for Valentine's Day (which I needed desperately!!)  I haven't bought new sneakers in years.  Here is what they look like!:

Our song is "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and we are still slowly but surely decorating our walls in the house so I bought him a sign that says "Home is wherever I'm with you" on http://www.etsy.com/

It looks like this but I told them to customize it black instead of red. 

I also framed a big picture of James and gave it to him.   I am thinking about making some special meals tomorrow as well.  We went out to eat for V-Day Saturday at a hibachi restaurant called Goten downtown.  Tomorrow I am planning on making breakfast- Lord help me I will have to get up EARLIER than usual.  I want to make bacon hearts and then for dinner steak, sweet potato and asparagus.  *Mmm*

~update~

So, here is an update on a few things!

·         My parents have a busted pipe and they're having to file with homeowner’s insurance to dig up their bathrooms, fix everything, and then replace the flooring.  In the mean time they are staying at a hotel with the dogs. 

·         Jonathan’s surgery is Monday and it will be an overnight stay.  I have taken off work Mon-Tues but James is not allowed in the area we will be in since he is a baby and this is a surgical procedure.  It’s so JAMES won’t get sick.  It will be my first time not being with him overnight.  My mom is going to be watching him so at least I don’t have to worry all that much.

·         Jonathan’s dad will be coming Wednesday since I will be back at work that day and Jonathan will still need caring for at home.  His mother is supposed to come that Sunday the 19^th to stay with us for possibly a week.  

·         I am planning my friend’s bridal/lingerie shower that is Feb 26^th!  I have to figure out what food I am going to make for it.  I have already decided on my homemade chicken salad on croissants but will be searching for other items this weekend. 

·         Also, I noticed this morning the dog “Kitty” ate my allergy medicine!! L   I hope she is ok when I come home.  It wasn’t a LOT but who knows how it will affect her.

Photo Challenge-- "Front Door" (Day 9)

There it is, from the inside.  I went home early from work yesterday because I was feeling under the weather.  I keep sneezing and sniffling.  It makes it tough to breathe or think for that matter.  Jonathan's spinal fusion surgery is Monday and so I have Mon-Tues off work.  I am not looking forward to it, but I guess it's for the best.  He is always in so much pain because of his back.  It's time we did something about it.

Here is some information on the recovery process.  Jonathan's doctor did get him fitted for a brace as stated below:

Spinal Fusion Recovery

After the spinal fusion surgery, it may be required of you to wear a plastic brace or possibly a cloth corset for a few weeks or months. The spinal fusion surgeon may not recommend you to wear a brace at all, but it all depends on what the surgeon performing the spinal fusion surgery believes to be the most successful in their practice to insure a speedy recovery and prevent infections.

It may take several months to well over a year for the spinal fusion recovery process to be complete depending on the severity of the spinal fusion surgery. For this reason as a patient you must realize prior to surgery that noticeable results may take time and you may need to be patient when looking for results from your spinal fusion surgery. This procedure is not a quick fix option and requires a commitment between the patient and the surgeon performing the spinal fusion surgery to improving your back and leg pain.


This is basically what spinal fusion is for Jonathan's case:
Spinal fusion surgery is joining two bones together (vertebrae) in the spine. Spine fusion permanently joins two bones together so there is no longer movement between them. The main goal of spinal fusion surgery is to relieve pain, numbness, tingling and weakness, restore nerve function and prevent abnormal motion in the spine.

If spinal fusion is performed on the back of your spine, a bone graft from the pelvis or bone from a bone bank will be located on the sides of the vertebrae, where it will grow together in the vertebrae to stop the abnormal movement. Metal rods, screws or hooks also are used with a bone graft to further stabilize the spine. When the vertebrae are surgically stabilized, abnormal motion is stopped and function is restored to the spinal nerves


As you can see, it's pretty serious. I hope all goes well!!