Favorite Things Friday: A secret obsession

This whole "Favorite Things Friday" idea was stolen from my coworker, Amanda, who just so happens to be "THE Blogging Guru of SRE."  I like her idea, and plan to TRY to commit to one purely positive Friday post per week. 

If you know Amanda, you know that she is absolutely the most perfect wife and mother on the planet.  She shamelessly ADORES everything about her precious husband and gorgeous daughters.  Of course, her FB family pictures are frequently visited by me, because they are just so darn adorable.  Today, Amanda's post for her Favorite Things Friday was completely about her love for her husband.  It was touching, sweet, and honest.  I enjoyed reading it.  It made me proud to know such a loving woman.  I admire her. 

I must admit, my post for Favorite Things Friday will be rather shallow and selfish in comparison.  It's not that I don't absolutely adore my boys and their daddy.  It's just that I recently visited one of my favorite stores of all time, and I'm a little smitten by their spring line at the moment.  I truly am NOT a shopper.  I don't buy loads of junk.  Sales mean nothing to me.  I rarely find clothing that I even like enough to purchase.  I enjoy looking sometimes, but don't often feel the urge to buy clothes.  Shoes and handbags...well, that's a bit tempting, but even they don't throw me over the edge.

However, there is one exception to the rule.  Those of you who know me, understand and appreciate my deeply rooted adoration of Victoria Secret and everything within the confines of their stores, catalogues, and website.  I'm a fan to say the least.  Honestly, how can anyone not be?  Everything about that place just oozes femininity.

Seriously, when I walk in, my eyes immediately dart to the most lacy, ruffly, girliest thing in the store, and I MUST go straight to it and oogle it, touch it, stroke it, smell it, and shamefully...sometimes even taste it, depending on the circumstances.  I can't pull myself away from that little festival of fluff!


Tonight, I was on a mission.  I NEEDED spring/summer pajamas.  I have MANY (number not to be disclosed) pairs of winter style VS pajamas.  I have more VS panties than one woman could possibly wear in one season...not month...but SEASON.  Every style/color of bra ever made by VS is in my possession.  The very few pairs of sweats that I own are of the VS label.  Lotions, bubble bath, lip gloss, swimwear, dresses, and even socks are adorned with the VS logo.   Let's not even get started on the lingerie collection.


It's not that I think I become an Angel Supermodel or anything, the instant that I put on a delicious VS item.  I know that I will never look the way that those girls look, so long as I love food as I do.  That's totally ok with me.  I don't need to look like them, to feel absolutely incredible in their clothes.  That's the really great thing about Victoria's Secret.  No matter what size I buy...I'm still fabulous, glamorous and breathtaking.  : )   

Today, I feel that I triumphed.  Despite my intent to purchase only spring pajamas, I had to physically pry my fingers from the newest black and white polka dotted nightie with the satin bow on the matching panties.  I DID manage to leave with only my planned purchase, but not without a great deal of inner conflict and references to multiple self help manuals.    

I'm an addict.  Truly...I require an intervention.  It's just so...PRETTY! 


Now, because this is Favorite Things Friday, it should be a positive post.  There should not be hints of negativity in such a lovely theme.  Therefore, I refuse to acknowledge anything wrong with my slightly obsessive "favorite Friday" item.


Let's focus on the positives here.  I mean, seriously girls...Have you ever in your life seen such frill and fluff?  Satin, lace, ruffles, polka dots, mesh, sequins, and bows upon bows to die for.  Absolutely nothing works better than a VS fix at the end of a bad day, to make me feel like a princess again.  Their awareness of all things girly is what makes VS one of my all time favorites.

As for something a little more sentimental in my future "Favorite Things Friday" posts, I'm not going to make any guarantees.  Surely, someday I will write some heartfelt tribute about how great the three males in my life are, but for now, I digress to DIVA and drool over my new spring pajamas. 

Next weeks post?  Well, I'm torn between Bettie Page Boutiques and tattoos.  Ode to the many loves of my inner freak.    

          

Fascinating Finds, Incredible Occurences, and Trivial Trivia of My Life with Boys Part 1

Socks

That's right...socks!  Seriously, what it is about little boys and the all elusive sock?  It's as though socks are terrified of their owners, if said owners possess boy anatomy.

Socks and their disappearances qualify under all three subcategories of this page:  Fascinating finds (although rare), Incredible Occurrences, and Trivial Trivia. 

You see, there is apparently a one mile radius around my house that is more powerful than the Bermuda triangle when it comes to the disappearance of small athletic socks, particularly the black variety. 

Without fail, my 11 year old is forever hunting the premises for this endangered species known to mothers everywhere as "The Missing Sock."

Regardless of the frequency of restocking, they are never in an actual drawer to be worn on demand. 

However, they ARE often located at varied intervals in locations including, but not limited to:

the sofa

under the bed

the closet floor

under the bed

the ceiling fan

the lounge chair

the entertainment armoire

the kitchen drawer

the back patio

the trampoline

shrubs

car

trunk of the car

dash of the car

console of the car

between the sheets

behind the refrigerator

in the bathtub

in the dog's food bowl

in the doghouse

in the street

and my personal favorite...randomly scattered across the lawn (if only they were easier to actually grow)

Seriously...these socks MUST be tamed, and soon!  Does anyone have the number of an established sock trainer?  I'm desperate. 



The Blog Challenge was lost on me.

Everything sounded like it would be so much fun.  I posted my first blog on Tuesday and was invited to participate in a Spring Break Blog Challenge with some coworkers.  The goal was to post everyday of Spring Break, with each blog corresponding to a particular theme or prompt.  I believe Wednesday's post was "Ways in which we Escape," with Thursday's topic being "Somewhere outside of Tarrant County."  The prompt for Friday was "Favorite Things."


So far, I've completed NONE of the daily challenges.  Go figure.  I started thinking of witty things for Wednesday's blog and my mind began to wander.  Seriously...wandering...can you imagine such?


Now, it's Friday night at 11:45, and par to course, I'm trying to complete a week's worth of work in about 15 minutes.  How is it that I'm even a slacker at recreational activities?  Unflippinbelievable.


However, I'm not a quitter.  I'm a winner!  I'm winning.  Nevermind that it's a little Charlie Sheen style.


Wednesday:  Ways in which I Escape.

Well, today, as my escape, I went to Six Flags over Texas with my three KBs, plus an extra child.  Unfortunately, it appeared to me that 90% of amusement park clientele appear to also be escaping-from the NEAREST PENITENTIARY!  

Honestly, what is it about theme parks, NASCAR, and Wal-Mart that summons our inner trashiness?   Don't start thinking that I'm being an elitist here...I've actively engaged in 2/3 of the above activities and am proud to say that I can slum with the best of them.  I'm just wondering what it is about these places that changes an otherwise relatively normal person into this:    

People watching was incredible on Wednesday, although it didn't exactly take me to my happy place.

Seriously though...favorite escapes?  Hhhhmmmm....

10.  poetry  (reading and writing)

9.    painting  (anything-EVEN walls)

8.    drawing
7.    sewing
6.    pedicures
5.    massages
4.    writing
3.     reading
2.    cleaning
1.    Well...duh

NEXT...Thursday:  Somewhere outside of Tarrant County

Um...what county do I live in anyway?  Shoot.  Forfeit.


Friday:  Favorite Things Friday

This one should be pretty easy.  Let's start with the obvious, my boys.  Kerry Bragg is my best friend, the father of my two children, and one seriously handsome hunka hunka burnin love.  Added bonus, he chooses to live with me and share in this delirium we call a family.  

Kory, sweet Kory, is my 13 year old precious boy.  He's unique, tender hearted, handsome, intelligent, witty, polite, creative, and pretty much a perfect boy.  He entered my life nearly 14 years ago and challenged me to learn patience...RIGHT NOW!  He cried, no let me restate that.  He screamed his ever loving red head off for approximately the first three years of his life with only about 6 breaks totalling approximately 45 minutes of silence.  However, once he overcame his initial shock upon meeting his parents, he's been nothing but joy.  I'm thankful for every minute that he shares with me.  He's really a cool kid.  

Kole.  Oh, Kole.  Well, Kole was a sweeter baby.  He was lovey and snuggly and happy and cuddly.  He loved us right from the start.  He wanted nothing more than to be close to us and make us smile.  Now that he's 11, he pretty much just wants to set world records for how many things he can break in a 24 hour period.  He's loads of fun, but definitely a bit strong willed and mischievous.  He makes my life exciting and fun.  Everyone loves Kole.  

Pretty much everything else is just icing on the proverbial cake.  I mean, what more could I really want?  

For the sake of a blog, I'll make a little list of things I enjoy (not in any particular order of importance):

1.  music
2.  pear infused tequila
3.  tattoos
4.  art museums
5.  Victoria's Secret 
6.  manicures/pedicures
7.  ribbons, lace, bows, satin
8.  good hair
9.  dental floss
10.  gorgeous dresses
11.  beaches
12.  the smell of leather
13.  big trucks
14.  kisses on the forehead
15.  a good nights sleep
16.  doing something nice for another human being anonymously
17.  making a difference
18.  a great book
19.  a moment of silence
20.  the smell of the ocean
21.  sand stuck to my feet
22.  extremely clean tile floors
23.  candles
24.  BOSE stereos
25.  40's glamour/pin-ups  
26.  big speckled Koi fish
27.  high heels
28.  bandannas 
29.  the smell of Kerry's skin
30.  a text from my sweet boys
31.  love letters
32.  Facebook
33.  gracious people
34.  laughing
35.  not making plans
36.  twinkly lights
37.  palm trees
38.  a clean bathroom
39.  dusting
40.  family photos
41.  the way I feel when I am able to resist telling someone what an idiot I think they are, even though they truly need and deserve to understand the seriousness of their stupidity.
42.  pumpkin bread
43.  Double Stuff Oreo cookies with milk
44.  Johnny Depp
45.  sunshine
46.  long, hot, bubble baths
47.  fountains
48.  unique architecture
49.  Texas
50.  being a strong Southern woman, taking pride in caring for my man
51.  my crockpot
52.  ladybugs
53.  a clean refrigerator
54.  fresh sheets
55.  a smooth writing pen
56.  song lyrics
57.  finishing a book
58.  pointy crayons
59.  baby goats
60.  The American Flag
61.  Little boy bodily functions humor
62.  Knowing that I can edit my post to add (or remove) more things that I love as they come to me.  : )

Now that I'm officially 39 minutes past the deadline for these daily challenges, I think I'll retire to my favorite place and rest next to my favorite man.  Good night my blog reading buddies.     




            

So it sounded like a good Spring Break Project

I'm pretty much old school when it comes to keeping my thoughts in writing.  The only problem with jotting down funny, clever, or insightful blips is that I can't seem to hold on to them for long.   Literally. 

You see...I'm a purger.  I like to throw away pretty much everything.  Ideally, I would discard clothes if I was more at peace with my current physique.  I can't stand STUFF.  Although I like to use the excuse that I've only lived in this house for a short period of time (going on 2 years now), I don't even have curtains in my home.  I love my NOOK simply because it's enabled me to clear the bookshelf.  I'm the exact opposite of a hoarder, so even journals, although they serve a purpose, are subject to dismissal every now and then.   Consequently, it only makes sense that my ideas and random opinions be recorded electronically, not just because it's the "in" thing to do, but because it will enable my compulsive disorder to further develop and prosper.    

The only problem that I am facing at this time is what in the world is important enough to require me to blog?  My thoughts are so random, bizarre, and cluttered at times, that I seriously doubt anyone will find pleasure or even reassurance as to my psychological state, by reading the strange things that enter my mind. 

For instance, let's take a little journey.  I'm a former medical transcriptionist and take pride in my still relatively fast typing speed.  I think I'll simply type the thoughts as they enter my mind.  Here we go:

"What kind of font makes the impression that I have a bit of sense about me?  Maybe I shouldn't even bother with a misleading font.  Who is ringing my doorbell?  Darn kids.  I bet they smell like puppies again.  Lady Gaga and her egg.  I wonder how many boys will be sleeping here tonight.  What's so funny in there?  They sound like a bunch of hyenas.  Speaking of hyenas, what's that weird lady from the pediatrician's office doing right now?  She's a strange duck and was heading to Fort Worth after her daughter's appointment.  I think I'll make a mango smoothie...or maybe some chocolate chip cookies.  I want a gondola, like the one in Vegas."     

That little bit was approximately 15 seconds in my mind.  No wonder I can't stand physical clutter, right?  Imagine trying to make it through a staff meeting with that nonsense going on.  One of my greatest struggles in life has always been and still is, my inability to think about only one thing at a time.  This should provide some interesting or possibly pointless blogging, but I'm going to give it a try...another day.

As for now, I think I'll drink a mango smoothie, eat some chocolate chip cookies, and read my Nook in the tub for an hour or so, while listening to the boys laugh in the next room.  I can only hope your evening is half as enjoyable as mine.  

Good Night my friends.