My Fortenberry Four Necklace

Look what I got from the  The Vintage Pearl!  It is a scrabble piece necklace to commemorate The Fortenberry Four.  Doesn't get any cheesier than that, does it?  I love it, though.

I Love Apple Music... A Lot!

I am completely addicted to Apple Music.  When I received my email for the free trial, I was very hesitant.  Now, I love it so much.  I can't stop listening to it.  The Playlists are my favorite thing in the entire world.  Right now, I'm listening to a Sawyer Brown playlist.  Why would they even make one of those?  I didn't even remember that I loved that group!  Fred even took me to see them at the KSCS Country Fair in some long ago year like 1992.  Now, I need to know where they've been for the last 20 years!  Seriously!

So, here is the thing about Fred.  He hates to have music going in the background. However, I would rather have music on than the TV.  Fred only listens to music while he drives.  He isn't a big country music fan, while I love it.  Although, he is a closet Garth Brooks fan (me... not so much).  He also loves Ray Stevens who sang country comedy songs in the '80s.  It is so weird to me that he likes Ray Stevens, since he doesn't really like country music.  Last night, I found this "Funny Country Songs" playlist.  Fred started singing along with Ray Stevens' The Streak.  And, he wasn't just singing along.  He was doing all the funny voices and he new every single word.  I was laughing so hard that I thought I was going to wet my pants.

I guess Fred could always look for work as a country comedy singer, if his day job doesn't work out for him!

FNL

I follow two blogs and those two bloggers have a joint podcast that I listen to occasionally.  They often talk about Friday Night Lights.  As in they long for that show to come back.  I wondered what the big deal was.  Fred is away at Scout Camp this week, so Jessie and I started watching it on Netflix.  We are completely hooked.  We are 14 episodes into the first season.  Can I just say that the first season had 21 episodes?  That has to be some sort of world record!  It is going to take us forever to watch the entire series, but I think we can do it before the end of summer.  Jessie said that it is like DeGrassi but with football.  I don't know.  I can't even confirm or deny that, because the only show I watch is Bones and apparently I missed few episodes this season, because I didn't realize she was pregnant or he was gambling.  

I mostly just aspire to be Tami Taylor and I love Smash's mama.  Jess and I both really like Landry.  He is our favorite.  He reminds us of Willard from Footloose.  I'm probably the last person on earth to watch this show, but if you have never watched it, I think you should check it out on Netflix.  Plus, the Dillon Panthers' school colors are Blue and Gold!

P.S.  Aren't you proud that I made a Footloose reference instead of a Steel Magnolias reference?

I Heart Willie and You Should, Too

This is my PSA to you, because we must surely be friends or family, if you are reading this.  Don't walk, run to your iPhone (or other device) and download Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard's album, Django and Jimmie.  I have been listening to it since the beginning of June, when it came out, and I just LOVE it.  I love every song on the album and that is rare for me. 

Which songs are my absolute favorites, you ask?  (So, you didn't really ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway.) 

Unfair Weather Friend 

(Don't you just love a good song about friends?)

Missing Ol' Johnny Cash

(Who doesn't love and miss Johnny Cash?)

Live this Long

(Wouldn't we all take better care of ourselves if we knew better?)

Okay, really I just love them all!

So, go!  Download it or buy the CD-- if you're old school.  You'll thank me for it.

My Favorite Things: Duck Commander Sunglasses

If you like Duck Dynasty, and let's face it who doesn't like Duck Dynasty, then you will love Duck Commander sunglasses.  $38 at your local Walmart Vision Center - what's not to love about that?  They feature Realtree camo, because the Duck Commander guys only wear Realtree camo.  All the outdoorsmen and women wear Realtree camo, too.  It's a fact, Jack.  Karin is wearing the D611 in black.  Jessica has that  sunglass and it looks super cute on her.  I wish I had a picture, because it is a-dor-able, I tell ya!  I'm wearing the D610 in gunmetal (also comes in gold).  The other models are all very sporty.  Fred has a sporty pair.  They were in his stocking.  Duck Commander sunglasses make this family, Happy Happy Happy!  (You just had to know that I would get as many Phil-ims and Si-ims in there as possible.)

My Favorite Things: iPhone and Social Media

I can't tell you how much I love my iPhone! It is attached to me at all times, but not in a holster type thing.  I can't rock that look. I love all electronics, actually.  I love my laptop and my Kindle. And, I absolutely love all things Social Media.  I adore my blog.  I enjoy spending time on Facebook and Twitter.  I like to take pictures and post them on Instagram.  And, let us not forget Pinterest.  Oh, how I love to find great recipes and ideas for church on Pinterest.

As much as I love Social Media, is it any wonder that I have been put in charge of our Social Media efforts at work?  For the sake of "work," I am constantly perusing all sorts of sites.  

I guess you could say I am dedicated to my work.  I think my Facebooking, Tweeting, Instagramming and Pinning deserves a raise!

My Favorite Things: All Things Hair

I have frizzy, curly, nasty, yucky hair!  It has taken me forever, but I have finally found a combination of hair products that work for me.

I start with Paul Mitchel Super Skinny Shampoo and Conditioner.  Love that stuff.  It is the best shampoo that I have found for frizzy hair and I have tried everything from Aveda to the super cheap stuff and in between.  I even broke down and bought that Wen stuff on the infomercial that the guy with the blond hair sells. 

Anyway, while my hair is damp, I rub Kenra oil in it.  I hear people say that it cuts your drying time by 50%.  It does help with the blow drying process.  However, for me it seems to really help with the straightening process.  Great stuff!  Definitely one of the best finds ever.

I have a BaByliss hair dryer.  I can't tell you that it is so super special, because the drying process is a pain in my backside.  I usually look like a big fro-head after I blow dry my hair.  So, I am just not a big fan of any hair dryer, but this one is really good.

My favorite hair product is my BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium flat iron.  It is the greatest invention ever.  I would marry it, if I weren't already married.  It heats up to 450 degree and slides across my frizzy/crazy hair and turns it into smooth, silky locks.  I think I will be buried with my flat iron.

As you know, I'm on the backside of 40 now.  The older I get, the frizzier and weirder my hair gets.  I can't tell you that my hair is beautiful, but these products have certainly made my hair more manageable.

I hope my kids are reading this that way they can make sure to stock my room with these items when I'm old.  I will need help with the flat iron, because I'm sure they have restrictions on those in the nursing home.  I fear that no one will help me with my hair and I will be the crazy lady with her hair sticking up everywhere.  The scariest part is I am afraid that my daughter will let me look like that on purpose as way to pay me back for all those years of pulling her hair up and putting large bows in it.   Maybe someone could take pity on me?    

My Favorite Things: My Pirate Boots

I love my pirate boots.  They are just cheap Candies boots from Kohl's, but they are perfect for me.  They don't have a heel, which means that that they were made for me.  I know my limitations and that means I shouldn't wear anything with a heel.  I will be tripping and falling in no time.  The best thing about my boots is that my 13 year old thinks I'm cool.  Probably because I look like Jack Sparrow in them.

My Favorite Things: Vera Bradley

I love Vera Bradley bags!  They are one of my favorite things in the whole entire world.  I am so thankful for the birthday card that they sent me in the mail.  I will be at the mall this weekend getting my $20 off of $20. Last year, we were driving to and from Austin to visit Jess.  I made Fred and Jonathan drive all the way to San Marcos so that I could use my birthday "present" at the outlet.  They were such troopers.

My Favorite Things: Clinique

 

Here is my not-so-secret, secret!  I have rosacea.  I hate it.  It is embarrassing. End of story. Nothing you can say will make me feel better about it.  I have tried different products, but none of them worked.  One night, I was doing a google search to see what new products were out there, when I found Clinique Redness Solution.  If you have rosacea, this stuff is so awesome.  When I put the moisturizer on, I kid you not, my face can be heard singing Hallelujah.  I mean singing it in a manner that you would think that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was in my bathroom. 

 

If you like pretty skin, or if you just want to hear MoTab in your bathroom twice a day, then you should check this stuff out.  I'm just sayin'... it's good stuff.  (Hint:  if you just want to hear MoTab and you don't care about clear skin, iTunes is cheaper.) 

My Favorite Things: Sparkly Green Earrings

The View From My Kindle

I wanted to do something special on my blog for Valentines Day.  You have already read about everything that is important to me during November.  I won't bore you with that again in February.  I decided to do a "My Favorite Things" like Oprah.  Only, I'm not giving out sweet gifts; I'm just going to spend the week of Valentines (and my birthday, by the way) telling you about all of my favorite things.

I am going to start with a new book I'm reading.  I just started this book yesterday and Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle is sure to be one of my new favorites. Oh my, I love this woman.  Apparently, she has a very popular blog and has now published her memoir.  Her blog and book both seem to be much different than Stephenie Nielson's that I love so much.  I really stumbled upon her and I'm so glad that I did!

Melanie Shankle's blog is called Big Mama and her blog and book are both deeply rooted in her faith, but she isn't a "Mormon Mommy Blogger"... I'm not sure exactly what her religion is.  She is a fellow Texan (she lives in San Antonio) and boy is she funny!  I just started reading her book, and I can't get enough of her and her side kick/best friend, Gulley!  They are like the modern day Texan versions of Lucy and Ethel trying to tackle being a wife and mother.

I haven't started reading her blog, but you can bet I will!  I think I aspire to be Big Mama.  I wish I could write in an inspirational yet witty style.  She is oh so funny. 

So, if you get a chance, pick up or download a copy of Sparkly Green Earrings.  You won't be sorry! (Too bad I'm not getting paid for this endorsement!)