Summer Break in Pics 2014: June

I am fairly certain I have no more readers on this thing, but really?  It was never for anyone else.  I always kept a journal in high school and even into college, so this is just another (much more public) form of journaling.  My therapist says I should start keeping a journal again, and since I loved blogging so much, I am going to attempt a comeback.  Again, this is pretty much for me, but if you are tagging along, then I hope I can keep you entertained!

So.  The school year ended.  THANK ALL THAT IS HOLY.  My classes were all amazing and wonderful and I really think I did a decent job with the AP class.  I guess I will know for sure when my test scores are released in July.  Logan is still going to daycare three days a week, but I am making sure to pack our Tuesdays and Thursdays with fun things.  This mama is trying really hard to make awesome memories this summer after last summer's epic disaster.

First of all, I am going to be posting some selfies up in here.  I am working on losing weight (more on that later) and I want to be able to track my progress.  SO.  I scored this dress and shoes for Commencement, and I was just in love with them: 

And I wore this to Senior Recognition, and again, just felt pretty :)

So June.  Filled with new dresses and a favorite new cocktail to drink at home:

The teachers and I vowed to spend time together, which meant several trips to local restaurants in Ohio City after Friday mornings at the West Side Market.

Townhall.  YUM.

I got to spend Father's Day with my two best guys: my dad and Logan.  He was tuckered out after an entire day running around outside.

From Top Left: Me and my daddy; Logan and his papa;
Bottom Left: My best buddy; tuckered out

My friend Sara and I took our boys strawberry picking.  We are the only ones with boys out of our group of friends and we are so glad they are growing up close.    Ian is two months older than Logan and Aidan is really great with the boys (he is 6 and going into 1st grade).

This kid LOVES story time Thursdays at our new library:

And Bomb Pops.  Because we must eat all the popsicles.

We started stopping at the new Dunkin Donuts after story time.  Logan loves sprinkle donuts.  But kept taking part of my apple fritter.  Better him than me, I suppose.

And my two favorite guys...I don't know who was laughing more!

And I FINALLY found a dresser for Logan.  I can't wait to finally finish his big boy room.  It will be easy to replicate when we move out (eventually).

Also got to spend some time with this girl...my silly niece.  We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of her baby sister in SIX DAYS!  I CAN'T EVEN!!

And many of our evenings end like this:

Because we are all tuckered out after a day outside in the pool and sun!  Is there any smell better than sunscreen and sweat and sunshine?  (Well, except maybe the smell of clean kid after washing all of that off).

And June ended with probably my best first date ever...so I am trying to be excited but not TOO excited.  Single mom dating deserves an entire post all to itself, so brace yourself; it is coming!

Goals for 2014

I was struggling to come up with a format for my goals for the year.  And this is definitely a year I need something to help me stay on track and focused since it is so completely different than previous years (coughsingleagaincough).  A fellow blogger Lauren posted her 2014 goals in this format so I decided to snag the idea and run with it!  Thanks for the assist, Lauren ;)

100 Goals for 2014

Personal Growth
1.  Take a sewing class
2.  Learn how to quilt
3.  Make a t-shirt quilt after learning to quilt
4.  Make Logan's calendar
5.  Finish Logan's 1st year scrapbook
6.  Read three non-fiction books this year (an attempt to get away from smut, lol)
7.  Spend more time outdoors
8.  Unplug at home when Logan is awake.
9.  Blog at least 3x a week
10.  See a movie by myself

In the Kitchen
11.  Menu plan weekly with Mom
12.  Make one new recipe a week
13.  Break out some actual cookbooks and make three recipes a month from an actual BOOK
14.  Plan and plant a garden at Mom and Dad's
15.  Plant pots of herbs for the back deck (parsley, mint, dill, rosemary)
16.  Make and freeze soups, etc, for lunches
17.  Go back to making homemade chicken stock
18.  Continue organizing recipes in binders
19.  Get a blender!
20.  Incorporate more veggies into our meals

Friends and Family
21.  Create a birthday calendar and send cards to all friends and family members...in the actual mail
22.  Remember anniversaries and send cards
23.  Throw Gabrielle a kick-ass bachelorette party
24.  Help Mom with Gab's Cleveland bridal shower
25.  Make more of an effort to go to my brothers' homes to visit their families.
26.  Host a book club night at my parents' house
27.  Plan a Valentine's Day dinner for my girlfriends (even if it is just at a restaurant)
28.  Have a spa day with Mom, Heidi, and Gab
29.  Celebrate Matt and Gab's marriage in Pitt
30.  Make an effort to see my girlfriends more

On the Job
31.  Stay on top of grading
32.  Update grades weekly for all classes
33.  Organize lesson plan binders for my AP classes
34.  Plan AP prep/nonfiction unit
35.  Choose books for next year's AP class
36.  Revamp summer reading project
37.  Pass back papers on a timely basis
38.  Become better at hostess coaching
39.  Follow up with customer purchase/care calls to party attendees
40.  Make the phone my friend
41.  Stay active as a Thirty-One consultant
42.  Attend National Conference in Columbus

At Home
43.  Transition Logan to a big boy bed
44.  Repaint/redecorate Logan's room into a big boy room
45.  Set up my crafting area in basement
46.  Buy myself a new bed
47.  Buy Logan a new dresser and use Miss Mustard Seed's Milkpaint in Tricycle
48.  Get myself a desk and set up my "office"
49.  Start a list of all the shit I am going to need when I buy a house
50.  Continue to purge my wardrobe of clothing I no longer wear.  And shoes :(

Financial
51.  Create an emergency fund
52.  Pay off credit card debt
53.  Save for downpayment on a new car
54.  Purchase new car
55.  Pay off Home Depot card from bathroom renovation
56.  Track mileage for Thirty-One
57.  Track expenses for Thirty-One
58.  Create budget
59.  Maintain budget
60.  Track spending
61.  Start Logan's 529
62.  Make several double payments on student loans

Health
63.  Cancel membership to YMCA and join new gym closer to work
64.  Cut down on caffeine
65.  Switch from coffee to tea
66.  Begin eliminating sugar from beverages
67.  Give up soda
68.  Workout 4x a week
69.  Rejoin Weight Watchers
70.  Look smoking hot for Matt and Gab's wedding

So...70 goals.  Seems pretty crazy, but I think most of this is doable.  I will be revisiting it each month with updates on them.  Thanks for helping to keep me accountable!

Logan's 3rd Birthday Dino Party

I love planning parties, especially Logan's birthdays.  His 1st birthday party was a Dr. Seuss theme and his 2nd was Polar Express (which I never recapped on the blog, which is weird).  I used his love for dinosaurs and this fabulous party from Annie's Eats as my inspiration.  I mean, just LOOK at how fabulous her ideas are...I used some of her ideas and them printables from Etsy to throw in some additional color.  

I also had labels for the meat eaters and the omnivores, but neglected to take pictures.

Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cupcakes:

Chocolate with chocolate!

Printables from MKKM Designs:

Logan and his best friend, Ian, who is two months older.
Birthday shirt from Three Lulus:

And for his big gift from Mommy, Logan got a Lightening McQueen bike!

Little man wanted a chocolate cupcake with his candles.

And clapped for himself.

Then blew out the candles before we were done singing.

For the menu, I kept it simple.  I didn't have time to overdo it, so this is what I decided on:
-Sloppy Joes
-Macaroni and cheese
-Spinach dip with pumpernickle bread
-Veggie tray
-Assorted chips and snacks

I felt so organized this year about his party, as opposed to the disaster I was with his Polar Express party.  I don't know why, but last year I had a hard time focusing and enjoying his party.  Not this year!  I was able to sit back and watch my buddy enjoy himself!!

Back to Menu Planning

Before moving in with my parents, I was a pretty meticulous menu planner.  I had an awesome grocery list found on OrgJunkie's website and took a clipboard with me when shopping and everything.  Since moving in with them, it has been an adjustment.  Their eating habits are pretty different than mine and I have really had to reign in my snacking because, well, my dad has a sweet tooth and there are always snacks in the house.  But, with the new year, I told my parents we are going BACK to menu planning because I felt like I was ALWAYS at the store!

Sunday: Night of randomness...Logan came home early from his dad's and my mom was sick.
Monday: Spaghetti
Tuesday: Chicken Caesar sandwiches, baked onion rings, veggie
Wednesday: BLTs
Thursday: Taco soup; chicken and cheese quesadillas
Friday: Pizza night
Saturday: Not sure yet

Linking up at OrgJunkie!

North Pole Breakfast 2013

Even though December has come and gone, I have a few things I wanted to recap, including our first North Pole Breakfast and Logan's 3rd birthday party.

As a precursor, I will say it sucks not having a house to entertain in.  I am really quite bummed I won't be hosting Easter this year.

Anyway, on to our first North Pole Breakfast!

I was super excited to try the Elf on the Shelf idea with Logan this year.  As much as he loved looking for his elf each morning, I kind of sucked with the creative ideas and often forgot to rehide him, so it was a last minute scramble most mornings to hide the elf.  Next year, I swear to myself that I will be much more creative.

I set up the table the night before and this is what Logan woke up to:

We had mini frosted donuts (the kid freaking LOVES DONUTS) and "Santa hats" which were a last minute decision and I took out the toothpicks before he ate them, obviously.

So...this was his initial reaction...

He got over it once he realized he got donuts...

...and a present from his Elf!

A new Thomas video!

A Team Santa shirt!

And this super cute book I found at Target called Santa is Coming to Ohio!

Overall it was super cute to see his reaction.  He loves finding Buddy in the morning and I can't wait to be even more creative next year.  God bless my parents for putting up with all my of shenanigans while we live with them!

A new year.

Hi.

Remember me?

Probably not.  Sometimes I'm not sure I remember me either.  I have decided to try blogging again as a way to keep track of my and Logan's life and really, just as a place to vent and connect.  Not sure who even reads blogs anymore with the death of Google Reader, but what can ya do?

When I last posted, we had received our court date for my dissolution hearing for the divorce that caught me totally off-guard.  That was in August.  The hearing came and went and I made sure I looked fabulous (yes, I bought a new divorce outfit) because I wanted to make damn sure I looked good the last time he saw me as his legal wife.  We were one of about 6 couples that had a hearing that day and we were the last to go because we had no lawyers.  It literally took 5 minutes, just like the piece of paper said.  

I honestly can't tell you what happened after...August is a blur.  

I started dating again in early September, after signing up for Plenty of Fish.  I went on some eh dates and some decent dates and  about two months ago, someone to spend my free time with.  No details to be provided yet, but I am happy and we are enjoying our free time together.  

C and I have maintained an amicable relationship for Logan's sake.  We haven't ventured into being friends yet, but we can have a conversation about Logan and sometimes about life.  I don't know if he is dating and really, it isn't my business.  We have agreed that when the time comes to introduce the little guy to our new significant others, we will run it by the other person.  So, we shall see what happens when the time comes.

I almost made the decision to delete the blog but decided against it because it has too much of my life on it and too many details of Logan's life, including his introduction into my blog as well as my reflections about being a working mom.  I don't want to forget these things, so I decided to keep the blog up and someday maybe return.

The time is now.

I finally feel like I have a direction once again, as I am on the search for my self.  To discover who I am again, as a woman and figure out how to be a mom and date and all the stuff at the same time.  I am looking at this new year as a time to refocus on what is important and to really begin enjoying my life again.

If you have stuck with my long-winded post, bless your heart.  And just because, here are some pictures of my little guy.

Book Review: The Mistress by Tiffany Reisz

From Amazon.com:

There's punishment—and then there's vengeance. 

Nora Sutherlin is in handcuffs, held captive by two men. . Under different circumstances, she would enjoy the situation immensely, but her captors aren't interested in play. Or pity. 

As the reality of her impending peril unfolds, Nora becomes Scheherazade, buying each hour of her life with stories—sensual tales of Søren, Kingsley and Wesley, each of whom has tempted and tested and tortured her in his own way. This, Nora realizes, is her life: nothing so simple, so vanilla, as a mere love triangle for her. It's a knot in a silken cord, a tangled mass of longings of the body and the heart and the mind. And it may unravel at any moment. 

But in Nora's world, no one is ever truly powerless—a cadre of her friends, protectors and lovers stands ready to do anything to save her, even when the only certainty seems to be sacrifice and heartbreak….

Last summer I discovered Tiffany Reisz and her Original Sinners books.  I read and adored all three previous books, The Siren, The Angel and The Prince and was waiting impatiently for the release of The Mistress in July.  

The book did not disappoint.  

I could not fathom how Reisz would tie up all of the loose ends of the series, and miraculously, she did.  The tales of the characters in these books are remarkable and they are so woven within one another that it virtually takes my breath away.  

I love Nora Sutherlin.  I love her wit and her charisma and the beauty and power she exudes.  She is such an amazingly strong character and I loved her retelling of the juicy tales of her past.  Kingsley.  What to say about this man?  His strength and the love he holds in his heart are astonishing at times.  I love learning more and more about this man.  And his scenes with Soren?  Wow.  We learn so much more about Soren in this book.  He comes across as such a...SCARY individual in The Siren, but by the end, I really believe that he is a great man.  Nora claims that he is the best man she has ever known...and I think he comes close.

I don't want to reveal much, but I will say that many reviewers and readers were not happy with the ending of the novel.  I am honestly not 100% sure on how I felt about the final events of the story.  I was a little sad to see that perhaps one character was not the perfect specimen we were led to believe.  It shocks me that this was the ending that Reisz had in mind because, holy shit, I never saw THAT coming.

I truly enjoyed The Red Years quartet of The Original Sinners and I absolutely can not wait for The Priest, the first of four prequels labeled The White Years. This series is so much MORE than just novels about BDSM and Dom/sub relationships and whips and chains and canes and riding crops.  At first, I think the subject matter and some of the relationships between the characters may scare people off.  And yes, there are moments that are definitely not for the faint of heart.  But you can not help but fall in love with these characters and their stories.  I did not expect a happy ending.  But I was definitely happy with what Tiffany Reisz gave her readers.