September

September 1st brought the first day of school for my children, Johnson is in the 7th grade and Jonah is in the 5th grade. I can't believe that my little boys are growing up so fast.

Traditions are so important to children, each year the boys request what treat they want to have for their first after school snack. This year Johnson wanted icing cookies & Jonah wanted Reese's cup cookies, making special treats for my boys is a delight!

Our school sponsored a 5K for Learning race to raise money for our high school computer lab, Tom & Johnson ran the race, both placed 3rd in their age divisions. Tom loves to run (he slowed his paced to stay with Johnson) and I'm happy to see Johnson following in his footsteps.

Jonah has his first football game tomorrow morning, he is so excited and I'm a nervous wreck, full contact sports worry me.

I Would Like To Thank...

Jen from Southern Blonde for awarding me with this lovely blog award! She is one of sweetest southern ladies I know!

There are a few rules that come along with this award, they are:

• thank the person who gave you the award & link back to them on your blog


• share seven things about yourself


• pass along the award to up to fifteen bloggers

I would like to award this to:

• Here On Hartland, Kathy is my aunt & someone I have always admired. She is an amazing woman with a kind heart & soul..

Now for the seven things about me:

1. I'm turning 40 in 5 weeks, YIKES! I'm experiencing major anxiety over this, even though I didn't think it would bother me.



2. I have a huge fear of dying young and leaving my children motherless.



3. I'm not a fan of french fries or potato chips.



4. Okay, this is a biggie; I HATE COFFEE! I start each morning with a fountain diet coke, preferably from DQ.



5. Wrapping presents is one of favorite things to do, so much so that I've thought about offering my services for the holidays.



6. Going to the mailbox is one of the highlights of my day. I wish more people sent snail mail, it's much more personal.



7. When I was 18 I moved to New Rochelle, New York to work as a live-in nanny for 7 year-old twins whose parents worked in the city at Pl@yboy & Price W@terhouse. I stayed six-weeks and high-tailed it home.

This has been really fun, thanks again Jen for the award!

Classic Style~~Plus Size

Ashley Falcon for Talbots

Talbots styled by Ashley Falcon

I have talked before about how hard it is to find classic pieces of clothing in plus sizes. This week Ashley Falcon joined Talbots as a stylist and let me tell you this gal knows a thing or two about fashion, for any size. She has posted several videos on Talbots' website on how to choose the right style & fit for your body. I buy 75% of my wardrobe from Talbots and I'm thrilled with their latest fall line.

Brooks Brothers Woman

Brooks Brother Woman

Also, this week I discovered that Brooks Brothers has an online plus size department. I received my first dress shirt from them today and I'm in love with the fit, quality & value. I will definitely be ordering again.

Uncharted Waters

If you think waking up three times a night to feed a newborn, carrying a diaper bag everywhere you go, wondering if your baby is ready for solids when the doctors says to wait is hard...just you wait, it's a whole new world when your child is on the verge of becoming a teenager!


Most days I feel like the world's worst mother! He wants skinny jeans from all the trendy stores, I want him to wear Polo & Brooks Brothers, he listens to music I can't stand, he barely grunts when you ask him a question and forget about trying to feed him, all he wants is McDonalds & cheese sticks.


Then there are those precious few moments when he wants to talk to me and gives me the biggest hug that gives me the courage to live through another day. Keep in mind he has the sweetest personality in the world!


I know that this is an important time in his life, finding his individuality, his style, his independence. I'm not ready for all these changes, I still want to pick out his clothes & brush teeth.

Magical

Last week was one of best weeks of my life! Tom & I spent the week in Destin, Florida without the children! His parents graciously kept the boys for a few days so we could getaway and reconnect. Every couple needs a vacation without the children at least once a year, we are already planning for next year ;)

And The Winners Are...

Kathy from Here on Hartland

Hautemama

Ms Bake-It

Please email me at michellethackersmith@yahoo.com with your name & address!

It's GIVEAWAY Monday

I just love GIVEAWAYS, don't you? I will be giving one lucky reader a subscription to one of my favorite magazines, Southern Lady. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite blog (I'm needing some new reading material, lol) and you're entered, it's that simple!

Also, my lovely aunt at Here On Hartland is hosting her very first giveaway stop by and leave her a comment to enter!

Oh how I love giving stuff away!!

Cake!?!

I can't wait to make this "cake"! I found this photo at The Polka Dot Pantry & borrowed the photo & idea, go check her out she has a beautiful blog.

Remember to check in on Monday for a great GIVEAWAY!!!

Crossroads

There have been times in my life where I have felt that change was on the way. Lately, I've been feeling as if I'm at a crossroad in my life. Maybe it's because I'm turning 40 in two months or that my children are getting older, I just don't know, but I do know that I feel a change in the air. I've been contemplating going back to school to finish a teaching degree, or maybe going back to work part-time, I just can't seem to make my mind up, do you ever feel this way?

One thing that I know is exactly as it should be is my family, they are great! However, at this moment I'm needing girlfriends! You know the kind that you can tell anything to and you know it won't go past their lips, or the kind that you go away with for the weekend, or the kind that is there no matter what?!? That's what I need! I have found that making friends as an adult is a whole different ballgame than making them as teenagers.

Be sure to check in on Monday, I will be posting about my next GIVEAWAY!!!

Keepin' It Real

This is what my laundry room looks like every Monday morning! It's enough to make you cry, isn't it? Did you notice that the door won't even open all the way? Bed linens, towels & wash clothes, beach towels, and clothes are driving me crazy!!! I want a fairy godmother to show with up a wand and do my laundry, EVERY WEEK!!! Hope your Monday has started off better than mine!!

Our New Home

Dining Room~before

Dining Room~after


Foyer~before

Foyer~after

Family Room~before

Family Room~after

After months of remodeling, waiting for furniture & window treatments everything is finally in place!! I'm so happy with the results that I almost cried when the "Dream Team" finished today. I didn't take before pictures when we actually bought the house but I did this morning before the decorators arrived, here are a few of the entryway, family room, and dining room. I had matching Roman shades & a valance made for the kitchen but the photos didn't turn out very well. I'm still waiting on 3 rugs, a few accessories and a cabinet for the wall where the computer is now.

Vacation???

We spent last week at Lake Cumberland in our camper, I don't consider this much of a vacation considering we are there every weekend from May through September and I still have to grocery shop, clean, do the laundry & make beds. Tom & the boys have to mow grass & maintain the camper, boat & mule. We had overnight guests on Sunday then more guests later in the week, we had fun visiting but it was a ton of extra work. I'm ready for a week in a hotel!! I love walking through the door of our room with the beds made, the a/c going and the floors freshly vacuumed, ahhh a girl can dream!

Actually we are planning a trip to the beach in August, any suggestions for some place with things to do for the kids but not overly crowded?

You Never Know...

What will be in a boy's pocket! Laundry has officially taken over my house. Between pj's, exercise clothes, swim trunks & everyday clothing I can't seem to get the laundry caught up. My goal for the summer is to one day see the floor!

Does laundry rule your house too?

Calgon Take Me Away...PLEASE!!!!

This is the first summer that we haven't had a pool and the boys are driving me crazy! I think that their ages (12 & 10) are contributing to my insanity, they fight constantly about everything!!! They follow me around like little lost puppies, I literally can't turn around without stepping on one of them!

If I hear one more person in this family tell me what they want or that something hurts I'm going to officially lose my mind, this includes my loving husband ;)

I read a post on FB this week that said, "for the husband & kids it's a vacation, for the Mom it's a business trip", no truer words have ever been spoken!

I need a vacation from summer break!

The Price of Beauty

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

I have always loved beauty products. I think the reason is they always fit and you look good in them no matter what your size. I try to order my products during the Neiman Marcus beauty events, I save the samples to use when I run out of my favorite product or for travelling. I was needing moisturizer this week so I pulled out my stash of samples and tried Sisley's Sisleya Global Anti-Age, I couldn't believe how my skin looked in just three short days, WOW, what a difference! Tonight I sat down to place an order at Neiman's and thought I would add a jar of this wonder cream, I should have known that something so lush would cost an arm and a leg but $460 is crazy! I don't mind paying top dollar for a great product but we just remodeled our new house and are getting ready to build an extra garage & pool so I did what any red-blooded American woman would do, I searched eBay until I found affordable Sisley samples for $30.

What are some of your tricks for saving money on beauty products?

Would you pay $460 for a jar of "wonder cream"? I'm beginning to think that I might if it saves me from having a face-lift!!

My Favorite Quick Meal

Busy summer days often lead us to ordering pizza. On days when I feel we have eaten way too much junk this is my favorite go-to meal: steamed broccoli, microwavable sweet potatoes, frozen grilled fish and Sister Schubert parker house rolls, this can be on the table in about 20 minutes & it's a very healthy meal. What are some of your favorite quick meals?

Fabulous Blog Alert

OMG, I stumbled upon Miss Janice and I'm in love!! I want to be this lady when I grow up, she is fabulous!! If you love all things preppy & southern hop on over to her blog.

Father's Day Weekend

We spent Saturday celebrating this handsome little guy's 5th birthday! Jonathan is a very special little person in our lives, not only is he my first cousin he is also our godson and we love him dearly. His party was an explosion of fun, literally! I'll post photos once his Mom sees them, in the mean time go checkout his party on her blog.

Happy Father's Day to the most amazing Dad in the world!!! He is always there for our sons and I'm thankful that they have him and I hope that they are as good of a father to their children as he is to them. We had planned on going to RedLobster for lunch but Daddy was hungry and we ate BK instead, you gotta know Tom he would rather have a hamburger & fries any day, LOL!

After we came home from our "nice" lunch he moved every one's yard in our neighborhood on his Father's Day present!

It's Been Along Time...

Conley Bottom Marina on Lake Cumberland at Sunset

The last month of my life is like a blur, I can't begin to describe to you what our family calender has been like! Finally, school is out (YEAH), we are moved (DOUBLE YEAH), and everyone is happy!!!


Our new home and neighborhood are truly a blessing! We love it here, the views of the mountains are beautiful, the wildlife is amazing and our neighbors are the best! I feel settled for the first time in years, I hope we don't have to move for years to come.

Life is good and all is right with our little family!!

Tom's 40th Birthday

We celebrated Tom's 40th birthday this past weekend, he had a great time even though he hates the idea of being in his 40's! I teased him all weekend until he reminded me that I would be 40 in October, yikes! We started out by going to the lake on Wednesday night through Saturday morning then we headed to Pigeon Forge, TN to the F100 Supernationals which was the highlight of Tom's weekend.

Hopefully, we will be moving into our new house next Tuesday (say a little prayer) everything is almost finished we are just waiting on the bathroom vanities, window treatments and a few pieces of furniture.

I'm planning a HUGE giveaway in honor of my 300th post!! Only 51 more post to go!

It's A Girl

Our family is thrilled to announce the addition of Miss Sophie Mae! She is an eight-week old miniature dachshund and is Jonah's dream come true. Since he was six-years old all he has every wanted was an obese wiener dog, LOL, I'm not sure about the obese part but our neighbors had a surprise litter of puppies and offered us one. She will be staying with them until next week when we move. I've never owned a dog before and I'm nervous about housebreaking, if you have any suggestions please share.

This was the best Mother's Day to date! Tom and the boys each gave me a special card, both of the boys bought cards that were for Step-Mothers, LOL!!!! I laughed until I cried reading about how glad they were that I joined their family and that is was almost as if we were related!! I will treasure those cards forever! Tom's card was so sweet & kind, just like him!

Happy Mother's Day

My Maternal-Grandmother

My Beautiful Mom


My Paternal-Grandmother

The Royal Wedding

I have been a Royal watcher since I was eight years old. I vividly remember watching Charles & Diana wed followed by Sarah & Andrew then Edward & Sophie and finally Charles & Camilla. I woke up early this morning anxiously awaiting the first glimpse of the dress. I thought the new Duchess looked very elegant, I loved the romantic feel of the lace. However, I thought her dress was too much like Grace Kelly's and should have had a more dramatic skirt and lighter veil.

Yellow is one of my favorite colors and I thought the Queen looked radiant!

Oh my goodness, this cake is AMAZING!!!!!

Seriously?!? Someone needs to talk to Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Their dresses and hats are hideous!!!

5 Post in One

I have been super busy the last few weeks with school activities, field trips, remodeling the new house, taking care of Tom's grandmother and a little (shh) shopping. Hey when a girl is stressed shopping is the only way to go!

Easter Weekend

Wow, what a flop :( Tom & Jonah went to the lake Friday night for a one day trip that turned into two. They didn't get home until Sunday afternoon. That was really weird! Johnson had his first "date" on Friday night, we met his girlfriend and her Mom at the movies. I forgot to buy Easter basket stuff so after the movie we went to WalMart to pickup a few things. I didn't even take a picture of their baskets. I vow to do better next year.

The New House

Is coming along beautifully, thanks to my brother and his crew! The floors in the bathrooms, sunroom and laundry room now have tile instead of linoleum. I have new door handles & locks, the painter is working as hard as she can and the decorator has ordered my new furniture and is coming Thursday to measure for window treatments. Needless to say, I'm tried!!

School

This time of year we seem to always get swamped with activities, I wish the teachers would schedule these things throughout the year instead of trying to squeeze it all in at the last.

Shopping

I can't seem to stop! Online shopping is so easy press a button, select a shipping method and enter your card number and all is right with the world! Saks is having a fabulous sale, you get 20% off most items including makeup and free shipping, you can't beat that. I have an addiction to Tory Burch shoes, her Reva flats are so cute with just about everything and her slip on sneakers are very comfy, I ordered the pair in the photo in khaki & brown, very cute!

OOTD

I'm thinking of doing the OOTD post like so many bloggers do. I have searched high and low for a plus-size gal who does OOTD and can't seem to find one, so I think I'll start doing this in the next few days. I'm not a fashion queen by any stretch but I love to look my best in the classics with a few trends thrown in for good measure.

Why Is It

• half of a peanut butter sandwich tastes better than a whole

• you can be in the worst mood ever, see a baby and automatically smile

• children can remember the words to every song on their ipod but can't remember to put their school uniforms in the laundry room

• just when you think your child is going to have to miss school because of the above mentioned laundry incident you find a school shirt at the bottom of the drawer

• when you read a great book you think that everyone you meet needs to read it

• the corner piece of pizza, cake, brownies well just about everything taste better?

• Easter candy tastes better than fruit

• the Kate Spade purse I want for summer is way more than I want to spend!?!

Have a good day/evening!!

Thankful...

Doesn't seem to be a strong enough word to describe how I feel this afternoon. While we were enjoying a relaxing weekend at the camper our landlord called about 5:30 Saturday evening to tell us that a tornado had hit the rental house. I'm so thankful we weren't home and that our new house in a neighboring wasn't damaged. My Suburban was hit by something, we think the basketball goal, and now has a broken luggage rack and a big dent that will need to be repaired. We live in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, tornadoes rarely hit, this makes two in the past month within a 50 mile radius.

I'm heavy hearted for our friends who we are renting from, please keep them in your prayers, they really need to sell this house and with all the damage it will be months before they will be able to show it again.

Out-Of-Control

Do you ever feel as if your life is spinning out of control? I sure do! This has been an extremely hard week; I've worked 2 days (remind me to NEVER sub for 7th/8th grade again), I've spend 2 days taking care of Tom's grandmother, I watched a friend's child Wednesday night and I've managed to run the household. With one major exception, THE LAUNDRY, It's totally taken over my life and laundry room. I wish I could give all of our clothes away except for 7 outfits each, wouldn't that make life easier?

We are moving in two weeks and I'm so not ready! Wish me luck, my Mom is going to be out-of-town when we move. She is 68 years old and can work twice as fast as I can at 39!

Have a great weekend, we are off to the lake for a little R&R!

Help A Child Find A Home

Please, please visit No Greater Joy Mom's blog (here), read this little guy's story and Chip-In to help bring this precious child home to a loving family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Spring Formal

Johnson had the time of his life at the Spring Formal Saturday night! I'm so proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone to ask a girl to go with him, he is one great kid and I'm thankful he's mine!

Everything went smoothly except for the flowers, it's a long story so I'll save that for tomorrow.