Weekend in Orlando

2 weekends ago I went to Orlando to help our friends move.  I figured I better write this post before the next weekend passes us by and it will be 3 weekends ago! haha! This is mostly for my journaling reasons, so excuse the length and lack of pictures!

Our best friends Ashton and Trey were moving back home from Orlando and I was beyond excited! Friday night after work, Me, Thomas, and our friend Boykin (last name) all drove down to Orlando for the big move on Saturday.  I was so looking forward to this weekend becasue A) I would get to see our friends and B) I was planning to stay through the weekend after everyone left on Saturday and have a girls weekend with Ashton! Ashton had to work the next week to finish up at her job, but they had to move the weekend before that to keep from having to pay a month of rent for 1 day.  Makes perfect sense, but it was not the greatest set-up for Ashton since she would be living in an empty apartment on an air mattress 27 weeks pregnant AND Sunday and Monday were her weekend days at her job and her home was being packed and moved and her husband was leaving Saturday to orchestrate the move on the other end.  Whew! This move was a big logistical challenge! haha! When I realized she was going to be there alone with nothing to do, no tv to watch, and not even a couch to hang out on, I invited myself over.  At least she would be there with some company for her two off days! What was originally not that fun of a thing turned into a fun weekend that we were really looking forward to!

Friday night, we arrived around 10 and we were STARVING! It rained on us almost the whole time and we were just trying to get there as soon as safely possible because we wanted to grab dinner together.  The guys went out to the infamous Miller's Ale House (infamous because we don't have one and apparently they have some great dessert that has become a joke to our friends).  Ashton and I were tired and did not want bar food, so we went to IHOP.  haha! That's pretty typical of us! We were going to go to Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney, but we got on the road later than we planned and then the rain slowed us down, and we both were about to fall asleep in our plates!

The next day was the big moving day.  We were waiting on a few people to get into town to help around lunchtime, so the guys and me (Ashton had to go to work this day) went to the guys pick for breakfast...IHOP.  Yes, twice in 12 hours for me! ha! They had a large group of guys that came down to help, and as the only woman I helped with the organizational and cleaning things.  The move went pretty quick and then everyone left to head to Savannah.  I was on my own for a couple hours, so I took a shower and cleaned us the apartment so that Ashton wouldn't have to.  Our plan for that night was to go to Downtown Disney and eat at the Rainforest Cafe but it didn't happen again! ha! Trey thought that it would be much better for her to stay at a hotel so we headed out to find the place that we had coordinated to stay at for two nights.  After that, she was going to stay in her family timeshare...too bad we didn't get to stay at the lap of luxury for the 2 nights I was there! We packed up the remaining items in our cars and headed over to the hotel.  It was perfectly fine but it certainly wasn't the timeshare with it's huge pools and amenities! We ate at the Macaroni Grill across from the hotel and we were one of like three groups in there at 10.  Again, we were exhausted and almost fell asleep in our plates!

Sunday, we slept in late and relaxed for a while.  Around lunchtime, we decided to go do some outlet shopping for Emma (she got some adorable outfits from Mommy and Aunt Jennie!) and then we headed over to Disney World.  Ashton has season passes, but I didn't want to spend that much money for a ticket when this whole trip was impromptu and we are planning to possibly go to Epcot in April for the Garden Festival. We decided instead to go tour the resorts on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop.  I have a whole post coming devoted to this, but oh my goodness, what fun! I have never stayed at a Disney hotel, but I have always wanted to.  I will definitely be looking into this for our next big vacation! This wasn 't an organized tour or anything, we just parked at Magic Kingdom, jumped on the Monorail and walked around. We ate a late lunch at the Contemporary and stayed until night so that we could see the tiki torches lit up at the Polynesian.  Post is coming soon with tons of pictures! After we were done there, we went to Downtown Disney (finally!) and ate at Rainforest Cafe! Neither one of us was terribly hungry after our late lunch, but we shared an appetizer and I got a salad, and we both got fancy drinks (no alcohol for Ashton!) I have the Landry's card (long story, but got talked into on one of my Disney trips) and I had never used it before.  It cut our 45 minutes wait down to about 10 minutes, and then I had a $25 credit for joining, so the grand total for our bill was $9! I also got some cute yoga pants with a leopard waistband for $12! It was a successful trip to the Rainforest Cafe! We also looked around the huge World of Disney store and I oogled the Disney Dooney and Bourke bags! I want one so bad! I have been so close to buying one multiple times, but I haven't yet.  I always regret not getting one too.  We went back to our hotel, watched a little of the Oscars, and went to sleep!

Monday, we had to check out of the hotel, get Ashton checked into the timeshare, and I had to get on the road so I could go to work the next day.  For our last few hours, we went to a nail salon and got a great manicure and pedicure.  It was the best one I have ever had! The pedicure literally lasted a whole hour and they massaged my legs about 3 times.  AWESOME! I left around 3 and got home at 8 because it rained the whole way home.  It was a super fun weekend!  The best part though...Ashton came home later that week and I have seen her about 5 times since! I love having my best friend sister back home again!

Is it a Full Moon?

What would a Wednesday night be without a little craziness thrown in there.  I have been feeling like I was out of blog material over the last few days, but lucky me, I had some thrown in my lap last night.  I decided I would head over to Hancock Fabrics last night after work because I needed to get a few things. It occurred to me on my ride to the store that I should check out the foam...you know, the huge green pieces that they have at craft shops.  Back story...I have a bench in my foyer that is built-in and I have wanted to make a cushion for it ever since we bought our home.  My husband's grandma gave me a bolt of fabric last weekend that matches perfect that she had left over from making curtains for her home.  I looked at walmart for some foam and I got some that came on a roll but it is really thin.  It was about $16 and I can probably just double it inside the cover to make it thicker, so a total cost of about $30.  I promise this info is important.  Back to the real story! I thought it would be nicer and easier if I bought a thick piece of foam and just returned the other thing to Walmart.  I went and grabbed this huge piece of foam at the back of the store and hauled it to the front to pay for it.  This thing was larger than me! I told the cashier I didn't see a price, but I wanted to purchase the foam.  She scanned it and told me it was $85 and not on sale! SAY WHAT????? I laughed and told her I didn't want it and I was so sorry for dragging it to the front and causing her to have to put it back. I just laughed and laughed because I had no idea that foam could cost so much money! ITS FOAM!!!! She told me that it does go on sale sometimes for like 50% off, so I still might buy it if it is on sale because I think it will make for a nicer cushion...just not last night.  The cashier totally agreed with me that it is overpriced and thought it was hilarious.  We were laughing and cutting up about it while I was checking out.  This woman was standing by the register the whole time I was there listening to all of this go on and decided to get in our conversation.  She suggested I go to a thrift shop and try to purchase something there that I could take apart.  Great idea! This woman was a little nosy and odd but she seemed nice.  She was obviously foriegn.  She had a thick accent (German I think) and was wearing unique clothes (fur coat and casual outfit underneath...not like the cute looks you see on Pinterest...it was just bad) and the worst makeup I have ever seen.  She seriously looked like a skinny version of Mimi on Drew Carey.  She had on blue/gray eyeshadow (very caked on) and bright coral lipstick (but her lips were all cracked and peeling so it looked especially awful).  I know this sounds horribly judgemental, but I promise you would have thought the same thing.  Plus letting you know how bizzare she looked makes the story funnier.  I happened to semi-joke to the cashier and her that the foam was outrageously expensive and I just couldn't spend that kind of money on foam without discussing it with my husband first.  The foreign woman looked at me like I had just grown a second head.  The conversation that followed went like this...

Foriegn Woman: "You have to ASK your husband before you spend money?"
Me: laughing "no, of course not!"
Foriegn Woman: "But that is what you just said! You would have to ask him before you bought the foam"
Me: "Well, yes, I would discuss that with him first because it is quite a lot of money to spend on foam.  But normally no, I don't have to ask my husband if I can spend money"
Foriegn Woman: "I just guess us European woman don't live the same way as you Americans.  I would never dream of telling my husband how much something cost and he would never dream of asking.  I just buy whatever I need for the projects I am making"  She then went on to tell me about how she was making a gown for a military ball a long time ago.  She went and bought the dress from the store and then pretended with her mother to be sewing it so he would think she made it.  She said he never knew because he didn't even ask about the cost of the materials.  She said this so judgementally as if to say that my husband was terrible and this situation showed how wonderful her husband was. Um...obviously not that wonderful if you had to lie and make him think you made the dress you bought! I started to get angry around this point.
Me: "Hum, thats interesting.  Yea, my husband doesn't care if I spend money.  We have an allotment that we each are allowed to spend on ourselves, but something for the house would come out of household money and if it is expensive like that we would discuss it first."
Foriegn Woman: Obviously aghast at this idea went on to tell me how she buys household things and furniture with her own money and her husband would never ask about it. 
Me: "Ok, well thats great.  We just do things a little differently.  Isn't that interesting how everyone finds what works for them" At this point I was really trying to walk away without being rude, but she would not stop talking! What happened next made it worthwhile to hang around for sheer shock value!
Foriegn Woman: "So let me ask you, what would happen if you bought the foam?"
Me: staring blankly not understanding "Nothing, I would buy the foam"
Foriegn Woman: "Would your husband SPANK you?" YES THIS HAPPENED!!!! OMG!
Me: laughing "Of course not." I was literally dying holding in my laughter, but also extremely offended that she kept talking to me like my husband was some type of terrible person. 
Foriegn Woman: "Well what would he do?"
Me: "Nothing.  He might ask me to return it if he thought it was stupid to buy it."
Foriegn Woman: gasping "Oh! So he is a macho man? He makes you return things?"
Me: "No.  Goodnight, I have to be going"

I just left and stopped this whole charade.  I was sick of her judging me, the cashier had walked away at this point and I was done with my transaction.  It offended me so badly, but also made me laugh because she is the one with the skewed judgement obviously. This woman was blatantly judging me and I felt like she thought I was being victimized.  This caused me so much anger because she was judging my husband who is the most wonderful person on the planet in my opinion and would never ever ever be the type of man she was suggesting he was.  We have a common courtesy in our marriage that if we spend something that either one of us would think is not necesary or costs a modest amount (maybe over $30ish) and if it comes from our household money, we discuss it with the other (not our allowances that we agree are for us to blow on whatever we want).  For example, if we need a new pair of scissors, or a hammer, or a kitchen gadget like a whisk, I wouldn't feel the need to call my husband.  If I went and bought a Keurig for $150, I would ask him before I did it unless I chose to buy it with my "fun money" Pretty basic. This goes both ways and is a courtesy to the other.  I don't think that this is a bizzarre notion and I would say that most married couples probably have this same set up in some way or another.  Not to mention if there is something I really want, my husband would put aside his wants so that I would be able to get it (as long as it is something we can afford).  I think I am the same way to him and like to allow him to get special things that I really don't care much about because it makes me happy to do so.  We do not look at the money as his or mine or who makes more gets more say.  It is all ours and we split is up fairly for our family.  Thats why it made me so mad! It also has kept me in stitches because it was funny and makes me sad becasue that woman is obviously out of touch if she thinks something like basic common courtesy in a marriage is out of line. 

How about another Staph update!

Thomas is getting better and better! He still has a wound that has to be bandaged twice daily and covered with Bactroban cream.  It is definitely healing though! Last week he went to the specialist and I thought that he would definitely release him from care and tell him to just come back if he got worse.  I was surprised when the specialist ordered another round of antibiotics! The Zyvox super duper antibiotic was finished last week, so now Thomas can eat normally again! Thank goodness!  This time he is taking Clindamycin (his second time taking this now).  I guess that the specialist just wants to make sure 100% that the infection is gone and that it heals normally!  He only has to take this antibiotics for a week, and he has another follow-up on Friday.  We will see what the specialist says this go around! I am not complaining about his aggressiveness though...it is exactly what I wanted from the get go and I have complete confidence that this man knows what needs to be done to keep my hubby safe and healthy!

Baby Emma's Nursery Fabric

I have mentioned that my best friend Ashton is  pregnant with her first child due to make an appearance early summer.  I am over the moon excited about this preganancy and when we found out it was a girl, my excitement intensified times 10! I get to sew frilly little things! Don't get me wrong, I will love the heck out of a little boy and sew for him just the same...but with a girl you have ruffles, and lace, and and and...you get the picture.  I told Ashton and Trey that our gift to them would be custom baby bedding made by me.  Ashton knew I was going to make some bedding, but she expected to pay for it all.  I was so happy to be able to provide something so special and practical for this little bundle! After many hours spent shopping online and emailing/texting pictures of what we thought would be cute and go together, we finally found the perfect fabrics! Ashton is planning to do a Winnie the Pooh theme as she and Trey love Pooh and these are the fabrics we found!

 Baby Talk Dots in Green

 Pooh's Blustery Day Toile

Primatex Basics Chain Link

I ordered a whole lot of these fabrics and I now have enough that I will be able to make some extra items for Emma with them.  I absolutely love these fabrics together and I think that the end result is really cute! I have actually had the bedding all finished for about a month, but I am having a hard time deciding what exactly I want to do with the rest of the yardage I have.  Stay tuned for a post showing the bedding off and many more posts showing the many things I have already made for Emma! She is a loved baby girl!

Another Staph Update

Just a quick update for those who have been reading about what my husband and I have been going through with his staph infection.  We went to the doctor on Friday afternoon and we had major improvement! The ID specialist got the results of the culture back from the lab and it showed no growth whatsoever! Hallelujah! This means when we went to his office the first time a week and a half ago and he swabbed Thomas' leg, the antibiotics that the primary care doctor put him on had been enough to kill whatever bacteria had caused this.  He was on an antibiotic that can kill MRSA, so we are unsure if it was that from the beginning...but I am thinking probably not because from my understanding MRSA takes a lot to kill and usually one round of antibiotics doesn't do it. I am not 100% sure on that.  Either way, Thomas leg is now bacteria free and we just have to focus on getting it healed up.  He has stopped with the Bactroban in his nose per doctors orders and now he is using it on his wound.  His wound has healed significantly, but it has a little ways to go.  It is definitely going to leave a pretty large scar considering the infection site was the size of a golf ball.  The ID specialist says he thinks the wound has a 90% improvement since the first day he saw Thomas.  I am not seeing a 90% improvement, but he is the specialist.  I see redness and holes in my husbands leg, while the specialist sees that it isn't as hard as it was and the drainage is getting less and less (gross, sorry).  He has to finish out his super sonic antibiotic the ID specialist ordered, which I am kinda over at this point.  The antibiotic should be done on Friday, but the eating restrictions on it have made it very difficult for me to figure out what to make for him! I think I am being overly cautious, but that is how I am wired anyway.  I am very relieved by all of this improvement, especially finding out there isn't MRSA in the wound.  I deep cleaned everything the weekend after we went to the ID specialist, but I was prepared to have to do it again this past weekend.  Luckily, finding out the bacteria was gone meant I could just clean like a normal person.  I did go ahead and strip the bedding all the way down to the mattress pad and lysoled the mattress since I was waiting for the infection to be gone until I did that seeing as that is a LOT of work! I was up until 11 last night stuffing the comforter back in the duvet! Now, we are just keeping the wound clean to prevent a secondary infection and finishing out antibiotics.  I think we are pretty much out of the woods at this point, but this whole experience has shown me just how scary it is for your loved one to be seriously ill.  Luckily Thomas' situation was not dire like some can be, but I was terrified it could turn that way without aggressive doctors.  I have prayed so much for the people I know who are going through much worse than this and to give them strength to care for their loved ones and for the ill to get better.  I am so blessed that this wasn't more serious and I am praising Jesus for my husbands healing.  We have another appointment with the ID specialist this week and I am thinking it will probably be the last appointment as long as the wound keeps improving.  We will see what he says! I am very thankful for this wonderful practice and his knowledgeable specialist! Thank you Lord!

Whirlwind!

I do not know what to even title this post! I am unbelievably EXCITED! My best friend Ashton is moving home to Savannah in the next few weeks! Since I dropped off on blogging lately, I should probably back up.  This past summer, Ashton and her husband moved to Orlando.  It was so sad because I am used to seeing her multiple times a week! BUT on the bright side, I was able to go to Disney when I visited her! :)

We both have been really big on making sure we see each other every other month or so...basically whenever we could with our schedule!  It hasn't been as hard as I thought it might because we both have been so busy, but I won't say it hasn't been hard and tears have not been shed. 

The worst part was not being able to pick up the phone and call her to go to dinner or out to the mall to get an opinion on something! I was so used to being able to see her all the time! The goodbyes after every trip were so hard for me. 

In the past month or so, life has thrown her some changes and they decided it was best for their family to move back to Savannah! I could not be happier!

I also mentioned recently that Ashton is pregnant, so I am over the moon that I am going to be able to see Miss Emma on a frequent basis! Ashton and I have always envisioned our kids growing up together and now it is more of a reality that ever!

I just pray that neither one of us ever has to move again! I love having them in the same town as us!

Who knows what the world with throw us in our lifetime, but I do know, now more than ever, I will never take a shopping day or impromptu dinner out with my best friend for granted! 

She is the sister I never had and I am so happy to have her back in town! Welcome Home Ash!

Erin Condren

I absolutely love Erin Condren like 99% of the blogging world does! I have to say thanks to Nina and Erin for introducing me to this company!  I ordered a life planner at the end of summer when I was making cookies like crazy and having a really hard time keeping it all organized in my normal planner.  This planner makes me smile every time I open it up! 

 

Today, Erin Condren shared that they are giving away a credit of $20 to the site when you use the code XOXO20! What am awesome and generous gift! If you have been wanting a life planner, now would be a great time to order one!

 

I ordered the Desk Pad today and I can't wait to see it on my desk! It is going to look so adorable with the other items I purchased for my office lately! I just had a Thirty One party recently and I got the Hang Up Home Organizer and the Hang Up Room Organizer to put in my office.  We have yucky old cubicles and I am all about bringing color and life to the area I spend 40 plus hours a week! I always get compliments about the colorful things I have in my cubicle, but I am really excited about these finishing touches!