Just call me Auntie...

I have a new nephew! A new puppy nephew that is.

Meet Jack....

Isn't he precious? My brother and his girlfriend picked him up Saturday. He's a 7 m.o. black lab/terrier/something else...he's still pretty little and is very timid. It was hysterical to watch him jump off the couch and flop on the ground. I already warned big brother that I'd be borrowing this little guy!

Happiness is....puppies!

Simply,
MJ

Thoughts for the Day

I think I'm having blogger's block this week, but we'll just go with it....

Shout out to Southern Charm and MIML! I think I took this picture and said "I need a picture for my blog!" In an effort to follow-through, there it is. Plus I just think it is cute of the three of us.

Thought for the day: Have you ever noticed how a single, genuine compliment can make your whole day better? Whether you be on the giving or receiving end of it? Sometimes I think we forget that other people need our vote of confidence, too. I guess that goes along with the random acts of kindness I sometimes babble about -- but try to give someone a compliment this week!

Next thought for the day: Ever noticed how you can say just one thing and your best friends can tell you immediately exactly what you are feeling, why you are feeling that way, and that it's okay? (And then follow through with ranting if need be.) No judgement. No explanation necessary. I really appreciate these friendships in my life :)

Happy Hump Day! Only 2 more work days before the weekend!

Simply,
MJ

Simply Loving....

This big braid with a side pony...

(Image from here)

This Tiffany's ad...

This bible verse....

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9

But he said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

And the short work week ahead!

I'm having anxiety tonight...not quite sure why...but I haven't felt this anxious in a long time. Hoping it sorts itself out soon! Does anyone else ever get anxiety? How do you get rid of it? It takes me hours to calm down...I've done 2 loads of laundry, ironed every pair of dress pants I own, cleaned up the kitchen, straightened up my room, uploaded pictures to Facebook...anything to keep myself busy and distracted. Does anyone have tips or is it just me that ever gets this way?

2011!

I love friends. I love New Years Eve. I love engagement parties. I love new beginnings. I love beautiful dresses -- and the moment when you find one you love so much that you HAVE to have it. (You know, when you think you want glittery, sequined dress that you'll probably never wear again, and then you find a pink/peach gauzy one that you are already planning your next occasion to put on...). I love gold, glittery, razzle-dazzle, Ke$ha pumps. I love bows. And diamond rings on my friends' left hands. Mad Men marathons and cranberry mojitos that will "change you life." And how we always rock the dance floor.

I dislike broken glass. Enough said.

I dislike New Year's Resolutions because I can never keep them. Although in general I want to work on typical goals -- work out more, spend more time with friends and family, stress less, spend more time on me. My one "resolution" is to begin contributing to my 401K.

I dislike insomnia. I have had so much trouble sleeping the past month or two. I don't know what my deal is - anxiety? Not sure. All I know is that I go back to work tomorrow, and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. I. Must. Get. Sleep.

I also dislike goodbyes -- it's so hard to leave home after the holidays, and always makes me a little sad when friends and I have to part ways. I know it's more of a "see you later," but I treasure the moments we get to spend together!

P.S. The engaged BFF from home has picked a beautiful wedding dress out, and narrowed down the selection for bridesmaid dresses! Not to mention our darling engagement party (complete with champagne toast) for my roomie!

Inspiration

A few things that I've gotten inspiration from this week:

This quote that I came across reading another blog (I wish I had written it down or could give credit to someone.)

For the most part I have felt very in control of my own life the past few weeks. But this quote helps me justify that feeling, I guess. Not that I need justification!

This article about Tory Burch on Forbes.com. She was named #88 on Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women list. Considering she started her brand just 6 years ago, I think that is absolutely amazing. She designs beautiful, classic pieces and built a business from the ground up in such a short amount of time. And on top of that, is still a wife and mother. I just thought it was interesting to read.

And these lovely ladies are always inspiring -- whether it be in life, love, or laughter:

I can't tell you how much we laughed that night (or what about), but I wish it happened more often.

What inspires you?

Simply,
MJ

The Funny Thing Is...

I really am blessed to have a job that I love. One of my favorite things is when I get to travel to events. Tonight I went to Frankfort for their annual club meeting. The funny thing is, I drive into these meetings and towns sometimes thinking, "Where the heck am I, why is there nothing here, this is so po-dunk." I pull up to these hole-in-the-wall local dives (I only had to turn around once to find this one) named things like "The Office Pub and Grill" that are hardly marked. I walk in and heads turn and look at me like I obviously don't belong there...maybe it's the lost look on my face, the fact I'm the only person under the age of 45, or the box of junk that I am carrying. I quickly judge the pink laminate countertops in the bathroom, the outdated furnishings, and the over the top UK memorabilia all over the walls. Dinner was served on mint green plastic (or acrylic?) divided plates. I didn't know they still made that color in anything kitchen related.

But then a funny thing happens. The owners don't hesitate to put on an apron and set out the food. They are more than accommodating when you need to rearrange. You are served a perfect glass of sweet tea. Someone always says a blessing before everyone eats. And you get REAL mashed potatoes with REAL butter. Home cookin' even when you aren't home (the liver and onions were highly recommended -- I declined and went for chicken). If you are a visitor, your money is no good -- someone always picks up your tab. And offers you seconds on dessert. You learn about people and their families -- how their son is skipping his boy scout meeting to be there tonight and their 5th grade daughter is playing on the 7th grade basketball team. You hear stories about how campus used to be wet, with kegs in the dorms and Sigma Nu Beer Bash, when they went through 120 kegs in 2 hours. How the front half of Two Keys used to be a drug store, and there was no patio. As one alum said, "It could just be the three of us standing here and it would have been crowded." (He was only 18 when he started going to Two Keys...some things never change.) You hear from someone who was actually at the 1957 UK vs. Temple game and witnessed "The Shot" by Vernon Hatton. They always ask where you are from and what your folks do.

The funny thing is, by the time it's over and I leave to go home, I have to pull myself away. It may seem so backwards at first, but sometimes I think they are really on to something. It's a slower pace with southern hospitality. I immediately feel like a friend and neighbor. It's times like this that I really am thankful for my job and feel so blessed that I get to do what I do. I really am lucky, and am especially reminded of that on nights like tonight.

I hope you each feel just as blessed :)

Simply,
MJ

Things I Love About Home...

Just a few of the things I love about home....

1. These wonderful people are there (although they didn't want to have a picture taken):
2. Dad will still pay for things, like car repairs!

3. We always have breakfast on the weekends. As much as I LOVE to sleep in, I will always get up when I know breakfast is waiting.

4. You all know my theory on how every small town has it's own Mexican restaurant that is "the best Mexican ever." And the local pizza place. When I was home for the weekend we went out to our local Mexican restaurant that seriously has the most authentic, delicious food, amazing chips and salsa, and margaritas. Now this is what I call a margarita:

5. Mom always has real butter. I don't know why, but there is no spray butter, no margarine...just real butter. For some reason it almost seems like a luxury or treat.

6. There is a slower pace. Mom says when they first moved to my hometown she felt like she had stepped back in time because there were still 5 and dime stores. But I love how everything slows down and is more laidback when I go home.

7. Beautiful flowers like this on the table, from our own yard...and some for the road to make my home-away-from-home more cozy. This weekend was peonies:

8. Old friends, who are still good friends. You know the type -- you haven't seen each other or talked in a while, but you pick up right where you left off.

9. Shopping! It's fun to mix it up and go to different stores or go to yard sales and thrift shops and come back with things you wouldn't have found otherwise.

10. For some reason, Mom always feels the need to bake or cook when I come home. So I end up eating cookies, ice cream sandwiches, smoothies, frappes, or whatever the craving of the month is. And I usually get to take some of those with me too :)

11. The stars in the night sky are brighter and clearer. You don't appreciate that until you don't see it on a regular basis.

12. Being right next to the river. My hometown was cleverly coined as "The city on the river but never in it." This past weekend the river was at 41.7' and the flood level is 42' - you can tell the river is up, but still no reports of flood damage to homes and property! River cities seem to thrive around the river -- festivals, fairs, summer concert series, boating...and I love it!

13. Gas prices are cheaper!

14. The church I grew up in. It's a sense of community I haven't found since moving away.

15. Lots of good memories :)

I know this list could go on and on, but those are just a few of the things I thought about this weekend! Sometimes I forget how much these little things mean!

Warning

Just a warning to my (five) dear readers. You probably won't hear from me for the next few days, because some of my besties will be in town! I'm so excited to see them!

We'll be going here:
And doing a little tailgating like this:
And it's going to be great fun! The weather forecast is sunny and high 60's. I haven't decided what to wear yet, but regardless...it's who you're with, not what you wear! I baked up a batch of lemon drop cookies last night, and the cooler is already out. I just need to fill it up :)

Happy Friday!

Simply,
MJ