Cheapo Target Plates

I have had this plate hanger up since Christmas.  Sans plates.  I took my red snowflake plates down in January, and had nothing to replace them with.  I have been looking for regular plates ever since with no avail.  FINALLY found some last week at Target.  And they aren't glass, even though they look like it.  I thought they were until I picked them up.  They are melamine.  Awesome..cheaper and more durable for what I needed them for.  So for less than 10 bucks, I finally filled up my plate display.

New Bling

While shopping for some new summer clothes for J, the sales lady directed me to the new jewelry display at Old Navy.  Usually, I never find anything I like there, but she told me they had just gotten all new stuff and I was thrilled with all the new choices!  I'm very into teal and coral this season, but have not been able to find much in the way of jewelry.  Old Navy solved that problem for me with each color having it's own rack!  Score!  This is what I came away with.  I could have picked more, but I was trying to practice moderation (and even then, I didn't do too well).  But I must say the prices were pretty good in keeping with Old Navy's competitive pricing.  I'm excited to wear all my new pieces!

Last Wednesday...

I got to see Mandi!!!  This girl has been my BFF since first grade!  I won't tell you how many years that is.  I feel like she has been in my life forever!  I don't have a ton of friends, but the ones that I do have mean the world to me, and I hang on to them.  Mandi lives in Texas now with her husband, Chris (which gets confusing since she has called me Chris since before she was with him).  We don't get to see each other nearly enough, but usually can figure out a time at least once a year to get together.  We worked it out at Christmas, AND last week.  Twice within six months.  Yay!  Mandi was back home (where we are both from) visiting for summer break since she's a teacher, and since I wasn't home the same week, we worked it out to meet in Raleigh for the day.  She brought her sister, who I've known just as long, and I brought Alaina.  Her sister has two precious little girls who were so much fun too,  Hannah and Kara.  We walked around the Crabtree Valley Mall, and then ate at The Cheesecake Factory (it's really good that the closest one is 2 hours from me, because I would eat there every day).  We finished up at Old Navy and had to part ways, but I feel so lucky to have gotten to see her if only for a little bit. 

Here we are before time to go with Kara and Hannah (I'm holding Hannah).

Some Stuff

I have been so MIA lately, but with good reason!  I have been a busy, busy girl!  J started back with MCT classes in May after a year off with SAC company (the students who get held back due to sickness, legal trouble, family matters, etc.), and he is trying to get back in the swing of things, and get readjusted to the horrible hours and scheduling.  Although it's been a little better so far due to the fact that they aren't quite as under-staffed as the first year, so he only has duty about once a week compared to every four days.  He has 3 days left til this class graduates and man, are we both ready for the 3 week break!  28 days straight of work is the pits, and I kinda totally miss my husband during that month.  He somewhat resembles a zombie at times.  And tends to be a bit cranky (I try and understand and sympathize b/c I know he's exhausted, but sometimes, he comes really close to being the recipient of a swift slap to the back of the head).

So, here's what I've been doing to stay busy this past month:

Ashwee, Matt, and Austin came down to visit the last weekend of May...well it was closer to a week long visit at 5 days.  It was so nice to have some company with J being gone a lot.  We had a wonderful time, as always.

I rode home with the gang on Memorial Day to surprise Daddy, Momma, and Alaina.  I loved seeing their surprise faces...so much fun!  The traffic and heavy rains on Memorial Day made for terrible traveling conditions, and what usually takes us 3 1/2 hours, took us over 5.  It was amusing to watch Austin and Matt cram into the backseat of Matt's car with two 50+ pound dogs, though.  Ashley drove and Matt reluctantly so graciously gave up the front seat, so I was saved from the dog pile (literally).

While at home, I got my hair did.  Stylists (good ones anyways) charge an arm and a leg in this town, so I went to Ashley's girl and she did a magnificent job.  I finally got some extensions too.  And they match perfectly!  Didn't think I would find any to match as well as they do!  See:

Wednesday, Daddy and his girls did a double feature movie night date, and we saw The Avengers - excellent! - and MIB 3 - ok but not as good as I had hoped.  We had a blast and got home a little after midnight when we all crashed into bed.

Thursday, the gals (minus Alaina who was working) did some shopping in town, where I finally found Essie's new summer colors at Target.  Yay!

And, then, Friday, J made a day trip to come retrieve his wife.  It was a quick turn around for him because he had work the next day, but he got a really yummy meal out of it, and got to see everybody for a little bit, which was a little mood booster for him.  Last minute, after looking at scheduling, we arranged for Alaina to come back with us for two weeks until everyone comes for Father's Day weekend to visit.  She is done with school and was ready for a little vacay.  I've enjoyed having her around, I don't get to spend much time with just her since she's a teenager, and usually pretty busy these days.  I think she jumped on the chance for a slower paced couple of weeks before her internship at the barn continues and a summer of horse camps starts up.

Ok, so I'll be a little more frequent now.  Maybe.  It's still a busy month ahead.  But I'll try to be better!