Inside Natalie's Closet

It’s no secret I love to buy clothes for my kids.

Occasionally I’ll do a post where I share pictures in their latest outfits.

Today I’ll be posting pictures on what leads up to the better ones. It doesn’t always go smoothly. It’s not as easy as running into the side of the house all the time. (I do this to get Natalie to smile.)

So here we go.



For starters, Natalie was like “no pictures.”

I don’t press her if she’s being a pill so I put the camera away.

She had a fit.

“But I wanted PICTURES!”

(And by the way, her outfit is from Gymboree’s Panda Academy line. It’s all in the clearance section and right now Gymboree has a Circle of Friends sale. It’s 30% off everything, including clearance. Use code GYMCIRCLE.)


Anyway, I said fine, let’s go outside.

And she proceeded to be a pain.

First, she turned her back on me.



She eventually came over and looked at me like I had lost my mind. (I mean, I WAS dressed in sweats and a shirt that didn’t match but still…)



Then she did odd poses. “Look! I can stand on one foot!” (And yes, that is a Cookie Club sticker from Wal-Mart on her hand. She wouldn’t get rid of it. We love stickers that represent free cookies I suppose.)





She did another weird pose.



Stuck her tongue at me.



I said, “Natalie, are we going to do this or not?” She gave me a look like, “Or NOT.”

I asked if she could just smile and look cute.



She said, “Run into the side of the house. Like this.” And proceeded to smack into the side of the house.

So I tried that and it didn’t work!



She did ballet moves.

Then she said she’d smile now:







(One never knows when she’ll cooperate.)

She decided she was done with pictures and was like, “I’ll blow a kiss. Goodbye.”



She did this and went inside.

I half expected her to pull an Austin Powers and go, “And…I’m spent.”

Okay, then. Nice taking pictures with you, kid.

The Soul Reader

About the Book:  The Soul Reader is the exciting sequel to Gerard Webster’s award-winning debut novel, In-Sight.The sequel takes place a year after the previous book ends. The protagonist, Ward, hasn’t seen or had any interaction with the woman he loves (Carrie) until she drops in and asks Ward to assist her in writing a book about the North Beach Project, the money-laundering scheme that led to his father’s murder. Ward initially turns her down because he recognizes that reopening investigation would be dangerous. More importantly, he knows that getting involved could put his soul in jeopardy. He still loves Carrie but doesn’t know if he can emotionally handle a renewed relationship.Carrie, however, decides to go ahead with the investigation so Ward feels he is forced into joining her, in order to protect her (his “insight” gives him the advantage). He agrees to collaborate on the book, but eventually it jump starts a series of events which make Ward and Carrie the target of the most dangerous assassin in the world, Culebra(the snake).  The story line leads across the continent and keeps the reader in suspense.

My Thoughts:  The characters are believable and well-rounded and I had a great time getting acquainted with Ward, Carrie and the other characters. I was delighted to find out that the reader doesn’t have to read the books in order.  The story is quite understandable if they are read as a stand-alone.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Catholic themes and the Catholic flavor of the book.  I especially appreciated how the author develops Ward’s character and how he illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of having the gift of “In Sight.”  I would highly recommend this novel to everyone who enjoys a well-written, fast-paced suspense story!

About the Author: Catholic Author, Gerard Webster, has been a Peace Corps volunteer, a soldier, a businessman, and an addictions counselor. Most of all: he’s a husband to his wife, Anne, and a father to their 5 children. He lives with his wife in Jacksonville, Florida.

Disclosure:I received a copy of this book from Book Sneeze in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

The Sparkly Ring

I knew about the ring.

In fact, I picked it out.

I just didn’t know when I’d get it.

But let me back up.

I found out Tom had been planning a vow renewal for over a year by accident. He was disappointed that I found out, yes, but it also made things easier to plan.

This was why he led me into Zales one day when we were in the mall. I admit I didn’t fully comprehend what was going on and said something stupid like, “Everything is so sparkly in here.”

And then Tom said, “You can pick out a new ring set.”

I felt like Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama when she’s led into a room with the lights off, then the lights flick on and she’s in a jewelry store and she’s told she can pick ANY RING SHE WANTS!

Well.

It wasn’t exactly the same. I knew I couldn’t pick ANY RING I WANTED. After all, we weren’t rich. I knew our budget even though Tom didn’t have to say it.

There were so many rings. I went from one display to the next. I tried on various sparklers on my finger, one of which was gigantic (and way out of our budget but I just wanted to try it on JUST TO SEE). It turns out I didn’t care for the humongous rings. Some people might like to be ostentatious; I prefer the quiet, beautiful diamonds.

It’s why I never understand when celebrities or rich people walk around with those enormous rocks on their fingers. It just seems…wrong. It basically says, “My ring represents that I could feed multiple third world countries,” or, “I have a house on my finger!” Plus, wouldn’t the finger get tired? I tried on one ring that made my finger slant downward.

Tom also picked out a new wedding ring for himself. He found it in less than ten minutes. Then again, the man ring section is like a handful of choices. The girl ring section is….well, over half the store. Still, he was patient and told me to find something I loved. It was between two rings and I kept saying, “Which one should I get?” and he’d say, “It’s your choice. Whatever you want.”

You see, our old ring sets were cheap and falling apart. We weren’t purchasing new rings because we just felt like a change. We were purchasing new rings because we didn’t want our old ones to fall apart on our fingers. When we were married we were 19 and broke so we couldn’t afford much.

Now, fast forward almost ten years and we could…well, we couldn’t afford ANYTHING, as I mentioned before, but we had slightly more in the bank.

I stared at the two rings in front of me and tempted to go Eenie Meenie Minnie Mo but I was worried I’d scare the Zales lady.

In the end, I went with the right one.

And then we had to wait forever for them to resize my ring because I have TINY fingers (4 ½) so it took like 5 weeks to get back.

When they finally did come back I thought, “Yay, I get to at least wear my engagement ring!” which was the sparkliest but then Tom said, “Nope, you don’t even get to LOOK at your ring until I say.”

And by 5 weeks, I had forgotten what it really looked like in person.

So a couple weeks went by and I tried not to ask Tom when I’d get the ring back. When we went to Ohio he brought the ring and showed it off to all his family members and they’d all say, “Oh, it’s beautiful!” and I wanted to say, “Is it? Because I can hardly remember! All I can remember is the SPARKLES!”

But then one night Tom surprised me with the ring.

And yes, he got down on one knee.

My husband can be romantic. My husband, who freely burps in front of me and then tries to convince me that when he burps it’s a COMPLIMENT to my cooking got down on one knee and said some ultra sweet words which I’m keeping to myself. There are some things I have to hold in my heart, you see.

Clearly I told Tom yes and he slipped my new ring on my finger. I immediately shifted it from side to side and breathed, “It sparkles…”

It’s perfect.

And next month, we’ll be renewing our vows on our ten year anniversary.

Where?

Well, at the Branson Titanic museum. Tom planned that all by himself. He knows I’ve always had a thing for the Titanic. I can’t explain it. I just DO.

Yes, I’ll have a wedding dress. When I was married almost ten years ago I was seven months pregnant and had to wear a black maternity dress since it was the only thing that would fit me. Plus, I couldn’t afford anything else.

So yeah.

We’re renewing our vows.

Next month.

Hodge Podge - Week 51

Welcome to the weekly Wednesday Hodgepodge...add your link at the bottom of Joyce’s post and come join the party. Here are my answers for week 51: 

1. Who taught you how to cook?

Both of my parents.  I got my basic knowledge from my mom….she followed recipes as they were written.  I got my spirit of cooking adventure from my dad….you could always add something not on the recipe.

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

I do over-think sometimes.  I am NOT a perfectionist.  I like things done right…but sometimes that just isn’t going to happen.  I am sensitive sometimes.  I got my feelings hurt Sunday night over the stupidest thing.  We ate at the Baptist church…I took apple/cranberry crisp…put it in a prominent place so it would be tried….and when we went to eat it had been moved to the very end of the table and not many even tried it.  I got over it though.

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

My Shirley Temple doll and thank goodness my mom let me actually play with her and not keep her on a shelf in a box.  I loved singing her songs when I played with her.  I still have her…she looks terrible. 

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?

I have to agree with Joyce and say in spite of what the Kardashians would say I'm going with marriage. Someone remind me again why they're famous? What made them famous?  Come on people….quit watching them and stop the insanity….I mean 72 days?

 5. Chrysanthemums, pansies, burning bush, ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?

 Mums and pansies for sure.  I love the colors of both.

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

I don’t live in a neighborhood and the kids around me ride horses and four wheelers.  They play pee wee football….I don’t really see any superpowers here. 

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

Oh yes! It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce/relish. I drink it, I make other things with it.  I eat it all through the year.  I love cranberries.  I made an apple cranberry crisp Sunday night and believe me….had some left-overs last night with some vanilla ice cream and it rocked!  I loved it so much I thought I would share my recipe with you.

Ingredients:

•               2 cups cranberries (I used dried cranberries and they plumped so lovely)

•               3 cups sliced peeled apples (about 6)

•               1 cup granulated sugar

•               1 tablespoon lemon juice

•               1/4 teaspoon salt

•               1 cup light brown sugar, packed

•               1 cup quick cooking oats

•               1/2 cup all-purpose flour

•               5 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Preparation:

Combine cranberries, apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and salt; turn into a shallow, buttered 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Combine brown sugar, oats, and flour. cut in butter. Spoon over cranberry-apple mixture. Bake at 325° for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until topping is crispy and fruit is tender.  Serve with Vanilla ice cream (optional).

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Cornbread dressing or stuffing…which is your favorite?  

Mine is stuffing.  I love the seasoning and added goodies in stuffing.  My mom used to make oyster stuffing or pecan cranberry stuffing…and even today when I get on a stuffing kick….I will even by Stove Top stuffing and make it.  I love the seasoning taste.  How about you?  Have a great week.

And We Think God Doesn't Understand Us?

You know you can usually count on a good friend to send you a great email occassionally.  I was fortunate to recieve just one of those this morning.  I was having a "blue" moment thinking about the upcoming holidays when I got this great email and laughed out loud sitting at my desk.  Fortunately it was my planning period so my room was empty.  I wonder if anyone in the hall heard me?  I have come to discover in the past couple of years that I serve an awesome God with an amazing sense of humor.  He does not make mistakes....He definitely puts us where we are supposed to be.  I know this for a fact.  He put me in Waverly, AL when He knew I would need to loving hugs of the congregation there....and put me in Rock Mills, AL....for the very same reason.  He knew I was going to need some female support and He knew I was going to need to be closer to Amanda and Linda.  God is good.  The story of the email goes like this: 

"Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother. She finally had lost her long  battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my  school plays, held box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life. When mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle female child without entanglements, to take care of her. I counted it an honor.

'What now, Lord?' I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk,  taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone. I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor.

An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me.

He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle. 'I'm late,' he explained, though no explanation was necessary. After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, 'Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of Margaret?''  'Because, that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary, no one called her 'Mary,'' I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?  'No, that isn't correct,' he insisted, as several people  glanced over at us whispering, her name is Mary, Mary Peters.' 'That isn't who this is.' 'Isn't this the Lutheran church?' 'No, the Lutheran church is across  the street.' 'Oh.' 'I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir.'

The solemnest of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing. At the final 'Amen,' we darted out a door and into the parking lot. 'I do believe we'll be the talk of the town, he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee. 

That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.

In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June, we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, 'Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in heaven.' 

Moral of this story...if you would call it that....."God doesn't make mistakes. He puts us where we are supposed to be when we are supposed to be there.

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your blog. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. If you do it, make sure you link up! (And make sure when you link up, you actually have an Hey, It's Okay post up, please.)

-------------------

To have liked the movie Captain America. I preferred the guy when he was scrawny though. I prefer skinny men to buff ones. I’d be worried they’d crush me with their bicep.


To have not had to be in two places at once after all. Remember my Friday post where I wrote how my kids each had things going on at their school at the same time? Well, turns out Tommy had a 100.5 temp and had to come home. (I swear, I’m not one of those mothers who send their kids to school sick. He was fine when he left, being loud as ever so I was surprised..)


To still prefer children’s cereals over the adult ones. I’m currently munching on Cookie Crisp.


To get annoyed when people take their kids trick or treating but don’t leave any candy out for people. When we go out we always leave a bowl of candy out that says “Please take one.” Granted, sometimes you have a brat who takes EVERYTHING. Still. The thought is there.


To not be thrilled to carve pumpkins. We had to do it on Sunday. The kids insisted. I got pumpkin goo all up my arm.


To have made homemade Rice Krispy treats for the first time. Usually I buy the already made kinds. Homemade treats are yum-mah.


To have my own candy stash from Trick or Treating. I take all my favorites from the kids. I figure it’s my payment for, you know, giving them life and all.


To have let the kids eat all the candy they wanted on Halloween. It’s one day. And it’s Halloween. (And yes, they still went to bed on time. The whole sugar makes kids more hyper thing is a myth, according to studies...it’s the excitement that makes the kids crazy, not the sugar…)


To not be surprised that Kim Kardashian is divorcing her husband. It’s
called Publicity people. I doubt the relationship was even real.

Winnie the Pooh DVD Winner!!

I did a giveaway for a Winnie the Pooh DVD combo pack here.

I used random.org to pick a number and it choose....

....number 36 which is Secret Mom Thoughts!



Congrats!


If you didn’t win, try again. I’ll have more giveaways in the future!

Coming up soon is a $50 gift certificate to Novica.com. I’ve hosted a giveaway for them before and they have fantastic stuff that would make EXCELLENT Christmas gifts.