FRIDAY FAVES!

FRIDAY!  Oh how I love thee, along with all my Friday Faves.  You make my heart warm every week with impending weekend fun!  I can't believe this is the last Friday in March already.  Where oh where does the time go??

So enjoy the list!  OH - and for those of you that may have missed it, I ran a promo this past Monday (see FREEBIE blog) for new readers to follow me and become a FAVE FOLLOWER of my blog on Friday.  Since only two people were brave enough to follow me, I've decided to select them BOTH!  Congrats to Jess and Kate for being the winners of a $20 Charming Charlie giftcard!  You both ROCK, thanks for your support!  Watch your mailbox! :)

FAVE FOLLOWERS

FAVE VEGGIE

Oh, how I love brussel sprouts.  Hubs is NOT a fan, but I have to think any that are cooked in beer and bacon HAVE to be yummo.  This one is definitely hitting the Davis table soon!  Click here for the fabulous recipe:  Brussel Sprouts.

FAVE HANDBAG

Ahhh, pure bliss.  My good friend Laura is in love with all things MK (Michael Kors) and now I can see why.  I'm not a brand girl, but this bag is SCRUMPTIOUS!!

FAVE FASHION

Yes, please.  For obvious reasons.  I love my Bubba!

FAVE TRAVEL IDEA

OOOOhhhhh.  Pure bliss.  Davis would have a cow but I could totally live in something like this.  I am SO low maintenance!  These are just delightful to me.  I totally want one!!

FAVE MOTIVATOR QUOTE

In honor of running one leg of a 44 mile run this weekend with the EC Brew Crew, this was perfect.  We start at Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City, Missouri and run to Free State Brewery in Lawrence, Kansas.  Woo hoo!  It's going to be a blast - pics will definitely follow!

FAVE DESTINATION

In honor of hubs and all his years in Colorado... the Aspen.  This is in Vail where we were fortunate to visit as a family right after we got married.  Bubba was only 4 but still remembers the trip.

FAVE SASSY QUOTE

In honor of little guy and his first new girlfriend... hee hee.

FAVE FOR THE HOUSE

I am loving this idea, particularly because I have this space below my stairs and hate that it sits empty!  How cool is THIS!!  Bella and Jack may never, ever come out....

FAVE TAT IDEA

In honor of my Irish kids, the Celtic symbol for motherhood.  My daughter is a fantastic mother, so very fitting for her!

Happy Friday, friends!!

Jen

Old is NOT an Age

I swore to myself that when I entered into my 40's, I wouldn't change a thing.  I was going to feel the same, be the same and act the same as I did in my 30's.  I'm 4 months in and completely different already.  Crap.

For starters, I have actually caught myself saying things like "when I turned 40, I had my cholesterol checked and it's high: and "did you know the leading cause of death for women over 40 is heart disease?"  Great ~ I'm old.

I do not want to be defined by my "conditions".  God knows I already had a slew of them BEFORE turning 40!  Except I don't really consider my ADD a condition... it's more of it's own personality trait, one which I choose not to medicate or change.  Helpful for my sales profession.

But I am also concerned about impending diseases, like Alzheimer's or Dementia (both of which I swear I have most days).  I can walk upstairs in my house and by the time the 25 stair climb is complete, I have totally forgotten what I went to get.  I spend HOURS looking for items that I "put in a special place so I wouldn't lose them."  Twice this week I have left the office with my rings sitting on my desk (after I've already misplaced my mom's wedding ring that I've been wearing for the past 15 years).  Overall, I'm sort of a disaster lately.

I think I need some more yoga in my life.  Quiet time to center and focus.  Calm the inner child in me that is always so hyper and dying to get out.  I'm running a lot more so that does seem to help.  I just hope I can yoga into my 70's.

I unfortunately passed this awesome trait down to my oldest son as well, poor buddy.  The good news is that he isn't straddled with my anxiety and worry as well, so he only has the "hypermind" like me.  And no, he isn't medicated, either.  He has figured out how to embrace it just like his momma.

I had a meeting this week in which I rode as a passenger, not as the driver.  The driver was quite a cautious driver (insert laughter now, because I am often easily distracted while driving).  He drove 30 miles to our destination with an average speed of 52.  In a 65.  I honestly thought I was going to jump out of my skin and could not WAIT to get out of the car.  I seriously wanted to Laura Croft his ass and jump onto his right leg to push down the accelerator.  But I didn't. 

I have known a lot of people (and still do) over the age of 50 that complain.  A lot.  This hurts, this is acting up, I can't do this anymore.  I don't ever, EVER want those words to drop from my mouth.  I refuse to allow my body to give out on me.  If something is wrong, I will fix it.  I won't be restricted from living.  And if I have lost my mind, someone better strap me down somewhere because if my body is still good, I'll be out.

Random thoughts on a Thursday... it happens.  Hope you can keep your thoughts straight today!

Jen

Weight a Minute!

I have heavy boots.  Nope, I'm not sad.  I just have some extra baby weight hanging around.  Oh yeah, we can't say that 10 years later, can we?  Maybe it's Nugget sympathy weight.  Well, he's almost 2, so maybe that won't work either.  Ugh.

I hate when I get in a slump fitness wise.  It happens to me at least once a year, where I just cannot seem to motivate myself to get off the couch.  Oddly enough, it usually happens in the winter.  Hmmm... I wonder why?

But no real great excuses this winter.  Our winter has been fantastically mild.  So I can't use that either.

I wonder how many hours I spend making up excuses?  I'm sure I could crank out a few thousand sit ups in that time.

I guess the only good news about working out is that it is always waiting for you to start again.  Of course starting wouldn't be so hard if I never stopped, but I digress.

Hubs and I started running together about a month ago.  It has been awesome, even on days when we aren't exactly "together" the entire time.  He motivates me from his pure drive and determination post back surgery to meet his new found goals.  He even did 30 days of Insanity Asylum, which I tried one day and about died.  Even when he doesn't necessarily feel great he still works his exercise plan.  Geesh, I wish I could find that right now.

I can't just stick to the running much longer.  We are t-minus 45 days to Warrior Dash and I have to have some upper body strength to hurl myself over those damn walls and climb cargo nets.  I gotta get with it, and pronto!

Oh, and did I tell you my gym is closing?  Yeah, awesome news.  End of this week, no notice to members (heard via my aerobic class club).  Nice.  The good news is they are transferring our membership to another local gym so I'll give that a shot.  I have GOT to lift something other than coffee to be ready for the throw down.  Davis is going down - there is no WAY I will let him beat me!

So no excuses today, friends.  Get movin'.  20 minutes is all you need to maintain where you are right now.  GET UP!

Have a great one!

Jen

School Crush

Oh snap ~ it's finally happened.  On top of the whole "VIDEO" (which I think I need a new covert name to discuss... little guy is catching onto my convo's about it), he has unveiled ....  A GIRLFRIEND.  Oh lord help me.  Say it isn't so?  4th grade, really?

Yes folks, I am that naive.  I do want to put my head in the sand, but I won't.  I do want to pretend he is a little boy still, but I won't.  I really, really wish he wasn't growing up so fast, but I know that it's inevitable.

Sitting at dinner, little guy professes how much he likes this little girl.  We have to get out the yearbook, because although I'm fairly certain I know who she is I need to be 100% sure.  Of course I know this girl well - she has been in his class for the past two years and I've been around her on field trips and class parties.  She's a cute girl.  Sort of.  Geesh, I'm mean.

Here's the truth:  she's hyper.  She's smart.  She's sassy.  OH CRAP- SHE'S JUST LIKE ME!

I used to joke and say the old adage that of course a boy always marries his mom.  Until Bubba married Sassy.  Guess what?  She's JUST like hubs!  It's the funniest thing ~ they have the exact same sense of humor, sarcasm and wit.  She worries a tad bit more than hubs, but that's just her age and uncertainty at times.  She is a bit introverted (although not shy)... exactly how I would describe my hubs.  That must be why she and I get along so well!!  I've already learned how to figure out hubs so I've got a leg up on her.  

And Bub's relationship with Sassy really did start slowly.  They were friends while they dated.  They liked to do things together.  They didn't mind sitting on the couch watching movies when they didn't have money to go out.  It was always an easy going friendship relationship.  Still is :)

But this boy may be the death of me.  I don't think he will be like Bub at ALL.  I fear the worst.  Girlfriend after girlfriend after girlfriend.  And now that he knows all about his scrotum I don't know if I can handle it.

By the way - funny side note to the "video"... just as suspected, my good friend's son came home after the video and told his younger brother that when your penis grows up it has an erosion.  Awesome.  Of course she died correcting him and telling him it is an erection.  Still think it's appropriate to tell the 10 year olds all this stuff??

Little guy is smitten.  I asked him about some of the other girls in his class, to which he responded "mom, they talk WAY to much... yap, yap, yap (moving his fingers emulating the chicken dance).  Great.

So here we go... pray for me.  Pray we can figure this journey out unscathed.  I hope he can stay focused on his work.  I told him he had to keep his A's in order to have a girlfriend.  Let's see how long that lasts.

I'll gladly take advice on this one!  Have a great Tuesday, friends!

Jen

Want a FREEBIE?

It's official - I have over 100 blog views a DAY thanks to my faithful readers.  You guys ROCK!

For all of your effort, how about something fun?  I think you have earned a REWARD for keeping up with my passions!  Sound good??

So here it is:  I want a couple of things from you, please.  They are SUPER easy... I promise.  If you will do these 2 things for me, I will randomly draw one of your names for a $20 gift card to one of my FAVORITE stores... Charming Charlie!  I love that you can run in and buy something cute for virtually any outfit for typically LESS than $20!  If you have never been in the store, take a look here:  Charming Charlies.

Whatcha gotta do?

1.  Please follow me.  It's not hard, I promise.  Click on the "Follow" button and it will instruct you to log in.  It won't send you weird spam, make your information public or allow anyone to start stalking you.  I promise.

2.  Please comment directly on this blog.  Tell me what you like about my blog that keeps you coming back for more.  I LOVE comments!  Makes me know you're really out there :).

That's it - easy peasy!

I'll draw the name on Friday for the lucky winner and post it in my Friday Faves as my FAVE FOLLOWER!

Thanks for playing along, friends!  Have a great Monday!
Jen

Look in behind the Closed Doors!

Yay me... I totally DID it!  I opened one cabinet door and decided it was time.  Time to clean it out.

Little did I know it would feel so good and I would have NO ability to stop.  If it weren't for dinner being ready, I would have stayed up all night.

I opened up my first cabinet.  I actually hate this one - it's my "cup" cupboard.  It is NEVER organized, no matter how hard I try.  Wanna take a shot at why?  Hmmm... could it possibly be because I have to much CRAP?!?  Why exactly would a family of 3 people need this many glasses??

It was to the point that when we opened the doors, something would fall out.  The biggest culprit obviously was the sports bottles.  WAY to many... seriously.

I don't really think I'm a hoarder (at least not as bad as my familial predecessors) but I do seem to over accumulate certain things.  My main justification is that the item is "totally usable".  And that is correct - it is.  I just don't have to own it!

So to work I go, sorting, deciding what we like to use, what we hate to use, what doesn't have a lid.  Oh, and don't you just love the quasi-pharmacy I have sitting on the right?  Geesh!  BTW - three of those medications were expired.  Oh lord help me.

This is about the time hubs walks in the door....

Ahhh?!  What is happening here! Oh yes, Davis is cleaning.

End result?  A much more usable space.  Realizing I don't have to cover ever single square inch of the inside of a cabinet (or a shelf, or a counter, etc.)  Not only organized, but freeing.  Plus I filled two entire boxes for Goodwill.  I felt so awesome.

It felt so great, I continued on.  I cleaned out a smaller cabinet to the left of this one, our "plates" cabinet, the tupperware cabinet and our bowl cabinet.  I can't believe I didn't start this process earlier. Nobody absolutely NEEDS 30 plates (which I had).  Oh, and to make it even more fun... I had plates from my mother, my mother in law, my first marriage, hubs and I's registry (1 place setting), our first set of dishes from our first year together (19 years ago) and our current set.  Geesh.

I think the "downpairing" process won't be nearly as bad as I had envisioned it to be (love this term - found it on one of my tiny house blogs).  When it is just hubs and I, our list of NEEDS will be so much smaller than even now with little guy at home.  I can hardly wait!

How much "stuff" do you really need?

Happy Sunday, friends!

Jen

FRIDAY FAVES!

It's my favorite day again... woo hoo!  I hope you enjoy my picks for the week!

FAVE BRACELET

Oh yeah, sometimes a girl has just got to be a bad ass.  I in particular love all things sassy, so this is right up my alley.  I totally can see Miranda Lambert donning this at her next show, along with a white wife beater!

FAVE DESTINATION

Tahiti.  'Nough said.  MUST.GO.NOW.

FAVE SNACKY FOOD

Oh yummo... I'm a huge fan of all thing spin dip but this looks over the top.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  anything on a stick or in a bite sized morsel has the most awesome appeal to me.  Plus I'm pretty sure there are no calories in tiny bites like this!!  Click this link for the recipe for these yummy snacks!  Spin Dip Bowls

FAVE ENTRY IDEA

I absolutely love words, sayings that you can put on your walls.  Such a better idea than prints - when you are tired of them, just peel them off!  This one is so awesome ~ I am so blessed to have SO MANY great friends!  Some I only have to text "not a great day" a offers for help are immediately written.  I love that about them!

FAVE MOTHER'S RINGS

To keep with my trend of all things copper, these stackable mother's rings are so unique!  I absolutely love them and think Jeremy, Katie and Cooper will look fantastic on my ring finger!

FAVE LOVE QUOTE

Ah... I am so in love with all things Hunger Games.  Beautiful.  Just beautiful.

FAVE FASHION

I'm a sucker for comfy jeans and flats.  Totally my style.  And of course, all things silver (or copper or bronze).  Any metals, really.  No surprise this made my list of fave fashion!

FAVE WORKOUT MOTIVATOR

Oh man, who wouldn't want this body!  I am loving that beautiful is considered more and more STRONG and not just SKINNY.

FAVE DINNER

I'm the biggest fan of all things pasta, and broccoli happens to be my favorite veggie!  Naturally, I could eat this every single night.  Yep.  Every. Single. Night!  Click the link for the recipe!  Pasta & Broccoli

FAVE DESSERT

Oh my GAWD!  I am so in love with Oreos, and given it is their BIRTHDAY this month we might as well celebrate them some more!  Case in point:  oreo cheesecakes.  In a cupcake.  HEAVEN.  Click here for the recipe!  Cookies and Cream Cheesecake

Hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!!

Jen

Little Friends

I often forget how fun it is to have a little one around the house!

Last night I had an opportunity to spend some quality time with a friend's boys who are 10 and 4.  The ten year old of course is a friend of little guy so they were off and about doing "guy" stuff.  So the littlest one and I had a chance to just hang out and bond.

Usually when I see him, he will say hi but keep his ground about 5 feet away from me.  Not usually real excited about jumping in my arms like some of my neighbor little girls will do.  Other times he absolutely wants nothing to do with me and will bury his head in his momma.

Not this night!  He said hello right when he walked in the door and told me "I'm so glad to see you, Jen!" YIPPEE!  We made some progress!

Our dinnertime was the best though.  The bigger boys inhaled their pizza and ran off to spend more guy time together while the littlest guy and I hung out to chat at the table.  He is so incredible articulate and had an ease about his ability to communicate.  Maybe it's just the innocence... 4 year olds are perfect for saying exactly what they think!

Buddy:  I had to go to timeout today.

Me:  Oh no, buddy!  What happened?

Buddy:  Adrienna scratched me really hard and I didn't do anything but had to go to timeout.

Me:  Hey, that doesn't seem fair!  Why did Adrienna scratch you?  That's not very nice manners.

Buddy:  I don't know, but she did like this   and so I told Ms. Tracy and she put us both in timeout.

Me:  Oh, sometimes that happens.  If your teacher doesn't see what happened sometimes that's the fair thing to do, punish both of you.  Just in case you did do something.

Buddy:  But I didn't do anything.  I never do anything.  But I always have to go to timeout.

Ah, sweet boy.  I didn't have the heart to tell him life in general isn't fair and there will be lots of times when he is a grown up that he will have to take a time out, even when he didn't do it.

When ended our time together snuggling on the couch watching the Power Rangers.  Memories of my Bubba flooded me ~ it was his very favorite when he was little.  Unfortunately the special effects haven't gotten any better.  I cannot believe that junk is still being produced!

I wanted to snap a picture of the two of us on the couch but just couldn't bring myself to moving him off my lap and getting my phone.  That's where real life is ~ without the camera sometimes.

So I stole a pic of him off his mom's Facebook.  :) 

Oh, in case you were wondering - I really like buddy's older brother, too!  He was just way to busy to talk to me this time :).  He and my little guy were off being too cool for the parental units.

When little buddy left, he cried that he didn't want to leave.  Success (not that he cried but that he is adjusted to me!)  I gave him a hug and told him that it was sometimes sad to leave but since we were friends now we could see each other anytime we wanted!  He hugged me.  Oh, sweet bliss.

I get to spend some quality time this weekend with nugget and I cannot WAIT!  He is growing up so fast and I want to soak up every single morsel of him while he is this little.  I sure love little ones!

Happy Thursday, friends!

Jen 

Clearin' Out

Minimalist me is rearing her ugly head again.  Every couple of weeks she pops back up and demands attention.

I read a story about a family that built a tiny house on 20 acres about 45 minutes outside of the suburb where they currently reside.  They have two kids, one in college and one a senior in high school.  The plan originally was for the hubs to use the space as an office, but he expanded the Weekend Warrior plans (gotta have these) to include a second floor loft for the kids if they ever wanted to get away.

The tiny house was 800 square feet and he plopped it right in the middle of the 20 acres.  He and his wife had built a pond so they put the house about 15 yards away from the pond so they would have a nice wildlife type view.  

The house is fantastic.  Kitchen, dining area, living area, bedroom and bath downstairs and loft upstairs. Couldn't be cuter. Only thing he left out was a laundry closet because of course he couldn't imagine the inevitable.

They had simultaneously decided to downsize their city house (which by the way happens to be in the city in which I work) so they put it up for sale.  And it sold.  Quickly.  Guess what?  Nowhere to live.  Oh wait... we have a tiny house!

So they moved in, all four of them, to the tiny house.  Hey... you'll never guess?  They LOVED it!  Certainly smaller than their 2,800 square foot house in the city and they certainly missed their laundry room, but otherwise the space turned out to be just fine for the four of them.  It turned out to be a cute house... here is the link to the site if you want to check it out:  Little House on the Prairie.

Oh yeah, my dreams are coming true every day.  The more stories I read about this the more thrilled I am to shed the materialist crap, get rid of the huge space I have and find some love in a small, tasteful little nugget.  

Of course my biggest issue is where to land this little guy.  I'm not too thrilled about living in the middle of nowhere on 20 acres, but hubs sure is.  He would absolutely LOVE that placement.  Me?  Besides my weird fetish with all things Airstream, I think the main reason I love it on wheels is so you can move it.  I'm not sure I want to commit to a certain location.  But of course you are limited with an abode such as that.

Who knows.  For today though, I'm blissfully happy with my dreams.  I'm downpairing (my new favorite word) my kitchen cabinets this weekend.  I do not NEED 75 glasses and cups that don't match.  There are three people living in my house.  We don't use 75 glasses.  Nope.  I'm totally getting ready for the neighborhood garage sale.  There IS an advantage to living in a 'hood!

Happy hump day, friends!

Jen 

90 Day Waiting Period

I can't believe it is already here.  90 days until my son's departure to the Navy.  Wowzers.

Jeremy joined the Navy October 25, 2011 and entered into the DEP program (delayed entry program).  Although he IS officially in the Navy, that truly doesn't finalize until the completion of bootcamp.  By entering through the DEP he was able to buy additional time with his family and make plans.  Therefore, although he is only known as "Future Sailor Cunningham", he still attends all required meetings and training sessions at our local training facility until his departure.

It's hard to believe we are only 90 days out.  It will certainly be here before we know it.

Hubs and I couldn't be more proud of both of our kids.  Ever since they enlisted the decisions they have made have been perfect.  They decided to save money and move in with family since they will be departing at different times to their stationed location.  They have been feverishly paying off student loans and debt to ensure a smoother transition.  They are making future plans as best as they can.

My eyes tear up with his impending departure.  I love to pick up my phone and hear his voice.  "Hey mom, what's up?"  I think I need him to call me and leave me messages so I can hear his voice when he leaves.

I have a lot of friends that sent their kids to college.  Same thing, right?  Not exactly.  Not only will I not see or speak to my son for 2 months during bootcamp but once his transition is complete he will not live here any longer.  I think that's the hardest part for me.  I can get through all the beginning stuff but the end result will be no longer living in the same state as my son.  And my daughter.  And my grandson.

So I pray a lot.  And cry, sometimes, when I get overwhelmed.  I ask God to allow my pride to overcome my fears.  I thank Him for giving my son such clear direction.  I ask Him to protect my daughter's heart and allow her to feel pride as well and not sadness over Jer leaving.  I pray she will have strength being a single mother until they can be reunited.

Today is a bit heavy but I am ever mindful that this opportunity will prove to be beneficial to this precious family.

I love you, Bubba!

Momma

Play that Funky Music!

I think I was born with a magical music gene.  Seriously.

Do you ever feel as though your life is one giant soundtrack?  I honestly live and breathe through music.  I swear in my past life I was someone extremely important, like Janis Joplin or something.  Okay, maybe that won't work since she was alive in my lifetime.. wasn't she?  Oh who the hell knows.

I can honestly remember specific music throughout my ENTIRE life.  I remember virtually nothing of my childhood, which I'm totally convinced that Rosie O'Donnell is going to help me discover that I have repressed some god awful events that caused me to block it.  But what I do remember vividly is music.

My sister was blessed with this same gene as well.  She was born with severe cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice (aka drunk ass physician that delivered her).  As an adult, we have been told that she has about a 4th grade mentality.  I'm not so sure about that.

Sure, she can't balance a checkbook.  But she can remember words and musicality with perfection.  As a child, she had a 45 record player (for you youngins, this was quite popular back in the day!)  My mom would pick up every single 45 record she could find at garage sales, which was constant.  We had over 500 records I'm sure!  And my sister, cerebral palsy and all, would scour through them "reading" the labels (I think identifying colors and logos) and put on the ones she liked.  They were also fast paced, dance type music.  Olivia Newton John.  Pat Benetar.  It was AMAZING what she could pick out.  If by chance she selected the wrong ones, such as a slow jam (think Lionel Richie), she would CRY.  Seriously CRY.  I always wondered how that music could touch her so deeply.  What could it possibly have reminded her of?

For me, my soundtrack is awesome.  It's multi-faceted, as I'm sure a lot of people could say about their own.  I can't always remember the names but if you play the tunes, I can sing all of the words.  All of them.  Yep, I'm convinced I was a superstar.

When I hear old school country, think Hee Haw banjo strummers... I think of my Dad.  When I hear Linda Ronstadt, I think of my momma.  Sassy music like Blondie or Joan Jett makes me think of my cousin Vickie.  Genesis reminds me of roller skating.  Queen reminds me of my friend Melody.  Madonna?  My friend Tracye.  Guns and Roses?  My friend Linda.  Any song by Live brings my brother Dennis to mind.  Anything from Black Sabbath to Men at Work is my brother Christopher.  Early 90's country music makes me remember when hubs and I first started dating.  When Kelis' Bossy comes on, KK is in the car singing to me.

And the list goes on and on and on.  My first concert?  Cheap Trick with my first real boyfriend (yes, this became the ex). 

I have tried to scrapbook.  I have tried to journal my childhood.  None of it works.  But if you asked me to script my life in music, I could do it in 10 minutes.

Music will forever shape my being.  I am so grateful for all of the artists before me :) that work hard to journal their thoughts into song.  Without them, I wouldn't remember anything I'm sure!  I hope some of you have the same feelings when it comes to music!  Little guy moves into 5th grade next year - the year of instruments and choir.  Oh yeah, he's singing and playing!  He might not like it, but it's not an option!

Happy Monday, friends!

Jen

Marital Bliss

Hubs and I had the BEST weekend!  It's so awesome to realize how much fun can be had in your own town!

We met a group of friends Friday for the Mizzou game at a local bar and grill.  Unfortunate loss, but fun was found!

McNutt, me and PB

Little guy was off to the BEST grandparent's in the world for a day of fun Saturday after an Orange Crush soccer win.  They are absolutely fantastic - I don't say it near enough.  They attend absolutely EVERYTHING Coop does at school, sports... even took him to a birthday party for us on Saturday!  I love how much dedication they have to not only the little guy, but to our marriage as well.  They know the keys to success to being married forever!

While buddy was off having his fun, we went off to have our own!  Kansas City has a great St. Pat's day celebration because we have a huge Irish population.... not.  We just really like to drink green beer, apparently.

We hit the Power and Light District after the parade and the party was WELL underway!  Gotta love the one lone green haired girl dancing!

We ate lunch at the Dublinger, a new restaurant that just moved into the old Raglan Road spot in the District.  Food was good and we caught a great band, The Shanks.  We ended lunch with an Irish dancer.

The Shanks

  

Back outside, we heard an AWESOME local band, Dolewite.  They were incredible, playing all my favorite 80's dance music like Beastie Boys, Naughty by Nature, Fugees and Run DMC.  Davis and I were dancin' fools!!  We even stopped the jello shot girl!

Dolewite

Ahh, scary!

Opting NOT to drive after the festivities, we walked back to our hotel stopping at our favorite dive bar, The Zoo.  This place is a little unknown nugget in downtown Kansas City.  It's not to be found unless you know it!  Let's be clear on this - this is a TOTAL dive!  It's basically the size of a large hallway, with about 12 bar stools.  Oh wait - they have expanded and added a 12x12 room on the back for the pool table.  I'm certain the Kansas City Health Department has never been to this place.  Oh, and you can buy CANS of beer for $2!  The best part?  They always have boxes of donuts, cinnamon rolls and a crock pot full of something in the back for the patrons... and it's FREE.  The special this day was chili, with sleeves of crackers laying on the bar.  I didn't know you could put Spagettio's in chili but apparently you can... with meatballs.

We ended the night at the Luke Bryan / Jason Aldean concert.  Nothing like a sea of green, drunk St. Pat's partiers to mix with the cowboys!  We had great seats and the show was fantastic.  I asked Davis "Hey, do you think Luke Bryan is married?"  His response?  "I don't know, but YOU are!"  Touche, Mr. Davis!

Eating breakfast with a bunch of hungover college kids from Minnesota was entertaining.  Hubs actually watched a kid with one hand down the front of his sweat pants carrying his plate waiting for his waffle to finish cooking.  Most of them didn't have on shoes or bras.  Poor kids.  It's a long way home to Minnesota feeling THAT way!

I can't wait until April... I wonder what trouble we can find by then?

Happy Sunday, friends!

Jen 

GREEN FRIDAY FAVES!

Happy Friday, friends!

The faves list this week is in tribute to St. Patrick's Day, one of my fave days of the year!  Honestly, I think it is the only time of the year I wear anything green.  I guess it's just NOT in my colorwheel.

Enjoy!

FAVE StP BEVERAGE

Yep, it wouldn't be St. Patrick's day without green beer.  Really?  I have absolutely no idea how or where this tradition began but suffice it to say I have drank my weight in it over the years.  I'll never forget the year that somehow the tint was off a bit at McFaddens and within an hour everyone's teeth were green.  Awesome.

FAVE FUNNY

 We all know this one... with a twist!

FAVE SLEEPING SPOT

Oh my, this is just way to cool!  I can only imagine hanging out with hubs in this little cocoon.  He may not think it is as cool as I do though... not sure why?   By the way, it says this suspended hammock sleeps 5-8. Yeah... sure it does.

FAVE ST. PAT DAY LOCATION

I had an opportunity to be in Chicago one year right after St. Patrick's Day and if you haven't ever witnessed this awesome party event, you should!  Definitely one for the Bucket List!

FAVE FASHION

Another cute green setup - again, unusual for me as I rarely wear green.  I can handle all but the scarf.  That's just not my look.  The green shoes are way cute, though!

FAVE SWEETS

Duh!  Who doesn't like anything on a stick in this country?  We are huge hoarders of all kinds of food that doesn't require utensils.  Plus, this makes you feel a bit like a kid.  I'm thinking Scooter would absolutely die for these!

FAVE DESTINATION

Although not the lush Ireland we usually think of, this is Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.  I would absolutely love to see this in person!

FAVE IRISH SAYING

This is an Irish Wedding Blessing.  I absolutely love it.  Simple and perfect.

FAVE EYES

Oh yeah, I'm gonna try this on St Pat's.  I'm a huge fan of the smoky eye look so this seems just as cool.  I'll either look super awesome or like Davis punched me in the eye.  Either way, I'm sure the drunks won't care.

Happy St. Pat's day, friends!

Jen