Reflections

Hello Loyal Followers:

I am trying to keep it together, but struggle with all of the emotions that I'm feeling regarding the latest school shooting.

In case you don't know, I was attending Virginia Tech and on campus when the shooting occurred 4/16/07.  It was all so surreal at the time...it seemed like it could not really be happening to people that I knew, just across campus.

After yesterday's shooting in CT, I have been broken down completely.  Also, being a parent now compounds the grief that I'm feeling.  I cannot help but imagine those helpless children.  Call me morbid, but the thought of those little lifeless bodies just makes me weep.  I don't know what it is about me but I wanted to know what happened to Austin too.  She worked as a lifeguard for me while I was at VT and was killed in the shooting.  I was able to talk to her parents and find out intimate details of her death and somehow, it comforted me.  Knowing that she did not suffer...knowing that she did not know what was happening, made it more bearable for me.  I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering that her family went through.  I think about her mom often and ache for her.  Just the other night after "Parenthood", I thought of Rene.  Austin is just gone.  Never to be again.  Her mom has to deal with that everyday. 

So, after yesterday's shooting, all of the old feelings have been brought to life again and I am forced to grieve for the families that lost a child and for all of my Virginia Tech family too.  It's not just this Christmas, it's every Christmas from now on.  It's every birthday and every occasion that they will not be there.  It truly breaks my heart.

On another note, I'm going to try and appreciate my family this year and hope that we don't have a nuclear meltdown.  I'll tolerate Christmas Eve with a smile and be glad that everybody is alive and well.  I'll try not to talk bad about them afterwards.

This is just another reminder of how precious life really is.  Be grateful that you are alive and have those to love in your life.

Love,
Whitney

Surrey with the Fringe On Top

Hi Everyone:


So in my last post I was talking about some boots that I have been coveting for a long time.  Much to my dismay, I tried them on and they just didn't cut the mustard.  But then these came into my life:

You can get your pair here and we can be matchy matchy.  They are Luccese Women's Café Glitter Carthage Lazer Design with Cream Inlays Boot.  I just love them.  If I were rich, or awesome like Pioneer Woman, I would give a pair away to somebody that leaves a comment below.  But I'm neither of those things, so I'll just wear my own and hope that you get a pair too.

Just in case you are not familiar with how your cowboy boots should fit:

1. They should feel like a firm handshake across the top of the foot
2. You should have some heal slip when you walk.  I know this sounds strange, but its the cowboy boot way.
3. If they are too snug but the next size up is too big, ask your seller to stretch them for you.  Your local tack store can do this too. 

Then you wear them, wear them, wear them.  Your new boots will be broken in and you will be the most stylin' person on your block.  Rest assured, you will not look like a redneck in these boots!

On another note, what production is "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" from?

Give up?  It's from OKLAHOMA!  It also made an appearance in one of my fvorite movies, "When Harry Met Sally."  Check out the clip here.

I love that link bar...it is so cool!

Finally, I can type like a regular person now.  I've been chicken pecking while holding baby Mason Jar.

So, back to the title of this post.  I'm talking about the big O State because Tommy might be stationed there at Tinker AFB.  Then maybe I could meet the Pioneer Woman and we could be BFFs.   I doubt that.  But, Tinker and Eglin AFB (in Destin, FL) are our top two choices from the preliminary list that we were given a few days ago. 

I'll be sure to keep you in the loop.

Good luck with your boots!
Love,
PW Wannabe

Life Update (aka Baby Pictures)

Good Morning!  Today we are headed off to the pumpkin patch at Holland Farms here in good ol' Pensacola.  I am super excited today because it actually feels like fall.  Instead of being the usual balmy 85, we are in the 50's right now! 

Since the weather has cooled a bit, it might be time to reveal what I am coveting...new boots!  I know that you are so shocked that I want a new pair of boots.  Here they are:



They are almost as pretty as my kids!

 Speaking of the little hellions, here are some pictures:

7 Weeks Old

Hi Mommy!

Thank you, thank you very much! (Said in Elvis voice)

Lady you are so boring!

 8 Weeks Old

You are weird.

Look at those chins baby.  You can't get those just anywhere.

I thought that I had some Harper pictures to add, but all I can find of her are videos.  She can be the star of the next post.  Hopefully I'll get some good pictures today at the pumpkin patch.

Happy Fall Y'all!
Whit of the Nee

Essie Beyond Cozy Review

Hi Everyone:

I'm doing just a polish review today.  I just took off my Essie Beyond Cozy, and believe me, it was not cozy.

The color of the glitter is a very pretty silvery gold and leans more silver than gold on the nail.  I'm not too much of a golden gal so I was happy with the color of the polish.  That was where the fun stopped though.

Like I said before, I really liked the color.  The formula was the issue.






















Unfortunately, the polish dried gritty and needed two coats of top coat to be tolerable.  Also, the polish made the ends of my nails scratchy with the glitters which is not very kid friendly.

I suppose if you do not have small children (or a live in nanny), this polish might be more for you.  I did two coats, but needed another for total opacity.  I barely pulled off the two coats of top coat.  It probably could have done another coat of that too.

I hope that you have better luck than me with this polish!!  I'm going to try some UGA/Halloween nails next.  Happy Sunday!

Latest & Greatest

Hi Everyone:

I'm sure you have been thinking that I've abandoned you and would never write my lovely prose again.  False, I've just been busy raising some offspring.  I have developed some new hobbies which I can enjoy all by myself and somehow manage to squeeze in during a 5 minute period during the day when Tommy helps me out with the kids.

Hobby #1:  Nails
This is nothing new, but I actually feel good enough to do my nails so I am back on track.  I've become quite smitten with lots of new polishes, mostly due to the nail blogs that I follow.  If you are interested, check them out:  Let Them Have Polish, The Polishaholic, and Chalkboard Nails to name a few.  I had no idea how many nail blogs there are.  I am enjoying getting to try some of the colors that they swatch.  I don't do much in the way of "nail art", but I do like seeing what they are up to.  I can't wait to get my hands on some of the Zoya Ornate polishes - Aurora, Logan, & Blaze.

Check out my latest mani:

I used Color Club's Halo Hues in Harp on It and for my accent nail (so last year) I used Essie's Luxeffects in Stroke of Brilliance.  The holo is very pronounced and pretty in the sunlight. 

I used Nailtiques as my base coat and Seche Vite for my topcoat.  Overall, I like the result.  I had a hard time not painting all of my nails with the luxeffects, but I pulled through and refrained from all glitter nails.

I have another color from this collection, Cherubic, that I like much more.  I'll try to get that up at another date.







The bloggers that I follow must not have any children because they post a ton of swatches and usually use three coats for each swatch.  I can barely paint my nails with two coats of color.  I've been acquiring more polishes that I can keep up with, so I've put myself on restriction until I've used all of my new colors...and that is good news for you because I know you love seeing pictures of my semi-crummy manicures with kids in bouncy seats in the background.

Hobby #2:  Makeup

I love makeup and beauty products!  Thank heavens for sephora.com

I just purchased some new eyeshadows:
Urban Decay: Urban Cowboy, YDK, Cherry, and Midnight Cowboy Rides Again
These are great shadows with good pigmentation and a nice dose of shimmer.  Not to heavy, easy to blend, and easy to apply.

I've also subscribed to Glossybox and Birchbox.  If you are not familiar with these companies, you basically sign up online and they send you a monthly goody box filled with a few of the latest and greatest products.  So far, I have only received two months of boxes, but I have to say that I prefer the Glossybox so far.  Glossy has provided full size products, but it is $20 a month instead of the $10 that I pay for Birchbox.  If you are interested in getting a Birchbox, go ahead and signup now.  I was on the wait list for a few months before I was granted into their exclusive group.  Birchbox seems to send out more of a lifestyle box with sample sizes and Glossy has been strictly makeup and beauty.  It's fun to get a box in the mail filled with mystery goodies.  So far, I'll keep subscribing and keep you updated on the products that I recieve.

Ta ta for now, ti ti a fin...baby Masonite is calling and needs some boob, stat.

Love to you all...
Wigglets

I love not being pregnant

This was literally going to be my Facebook status, but instead I think that I'll post it in the "about me" section.

I even found an ecard with the same sentiment...

Tommy and I watched "What to Expect When You're Expecting" last weekend and it was pretty cute.  I really connected with Elizabeth Bank's character in the movie.  She did a good job portraying the reality of my pregnancies...miserable, fat, tired, awful, etc.  Andy Roddick's wife did a good job too portraying the opposite of my pregnancies.  You should watch it...not a bad rental.  Check out a clip here.  This clip is also relatable to my most recent pregnancy.

Another plus about not being pregnant is that I've lost all of my baby weight plus some.  Granted, I was a little tubby pre-pregnancy...but now it just makes me feel that much better about myself.  I am 10 lbs. lighter than I was before I got pregnant with baby Mason Jar. 

Even though being pregnant really sucks, the outcome is completely worth it!  Check out some pictures of what I grew during my nine months of death camp:

She is always so serious looking.  Needs to lighten up just like her dad.

In motion shot but less serious.

My mullet child with baby Mason Jar.  Future friends forever.









Have a great weekend and enjoy some fall weather if you have it!  It is still in the high 80s down here.

XOXO,
WE

Life in Babyland

Greetings loyal readers!  I've missed you so.  Lots is going on here at the Evans home.  Mason Elizabeth Evans was born on 8/31/12 @ 5:27pm.  She was 8 lbs. 1 oz and 20.5 inches long.  She is now just over 2 weeks old and is eating and sleeping great!  I am actually getting to enjoy these first few weeks this time around (I had my gall bladder removed at 3 weeks postpartum with Harper).  All of the oxytocin must be talking because I am over the moon with love for my little family.  Surprisingly I have a ton of energy and feel better than I have in a long time.

 This is at the hospital almost 24 hours old.

 Isn't she beautiful!

I lucked out and caught a smile while she was sleeping.  She looks just like her sister.

















We have been so blessed with family coming to visit us.  My mom, Fred, and Will were all here for the birth which was really special.  Tommy's mom, Necia, came down for a few days and then my dad and Desirie came down and rounded out Mason's second week of life.  Grandpa Mike and Carol are coming in October and we are scheduled to see Niecy and GDT again over Columbus Day weekend. 

 My wild woman, Harper Pearl.

 She still is not too sure about Mason.  She will occasionally try to "pet" her but hasn't developed a real interest yet.

 I'm playing with my new camera here.  I love it!

More pictures of my baby!

 Harper and Grandpa!

Sleeping on Grandpa.













Other life updates...
Poor Mandy has hurt her leg somehow.  I think she pulled a muscle on her front leg while playing.  She has only moved to eat and go to the bathroom.  She won't put any weight on her front leg and I feel bad for her.  She has never been so pathetic.

The renters are leaving :(  We are trying to get set up with a management company in Blacksburg.  Hopefully everything will work out and we can get some new people in there soon!

The new stroller!  Check it out here.  We went out for a bit today and tried it out, I love it.  It is a bit heavy, but carried both girls and has a ton of space for my crap below them. 

Other than that, we are just living the dream.  Mason has a doctor appointment on Tuesday and Tommy cannot make it.  I'll be all by myself...but I think I can handle it.  I'll post more pictures and her percentages on Tuesday.

Love you all!
WE