What's Up | March

It's What's Up Wednesday Thursday!

I am linking up a day late with Mel, Shay & Sheaffer, so don't be alarmed.

#ThinkingOutLoudThursday is still happening :)

What we're eating this week

This mom/wife went to bed sick on Monday night and I just can't seem to shake it :(

So the guys are eating what ever is easy (think turkey hot dogs and chicken nuggets), while I am making the stock price of chicken noodle soup sky rocket.

What I'm reminiscing about

That Mic and I first met back in April of 2001.

We went on our first date April 19th :)

On April 2nd, 2005 we got engaged.

AND, on April 2nd, 2011 we found out I was pregnant with X!

I have never been a Spring person, but April has always been a pretty great month for us :)

What I'm loving

Lately X has been extra lovely, offering kisses and hugs for no reason at all!

It is the best!

I will take all that I can get, because I know one day that sweet little guy with be a teenager and probably won't want anything to do with me :(

He has been extra silly too :)

What we've been up to

Getting our house ready for Spring/Summer.

This past weekend we finally got our basement organized since moving in last November.

#owningyourbusinesscansucksometimes

So now we are focusing on going through everything else in the house and either tossing, donating, or finding its place.

What I'm dreading

Mic just informed me that this year is the year of the 17 year locust.

I guess they decide to come out of the ground in swarms every 17 years, and this is that year.

Oh Joy!

Some of the reports he was reading state that all you hear is "crunch, crunch, crunch" under your feet as you are walking there are so many!

YUCK!

I am seriously creeped out!

I can't even post a pic of them I am so disgusted!

#sonotacountrygirl

#whymustiliveinthecountry

What I'm working on

Still trying to come up with a vacation spot.

We have tossed around a few ideas, but the timing just doesn't seem to be working out very well this year.

We aren't very demanding so it should be easy to plan...X wants sand, I want warm sunshine, and Mic wants anything but those things ;) lol!

Any thoughts?

What I'm excited about

That, fingers crossed, we may have found a nanny for the summer!

Eek!

I was dreading the school year ending because I didn't know who was going to watch X :(

Thankfully, a good friend came through with what appears to be a rock star rec!

Hoping everything works out and X will be able to stay home during the summer.

We don't have many full year day cares around here, so we are limited on location and availability :/

What I'm watching/reading

Mic and I finally starting watching the 4th season of Vikings and it is great!

I also have been keeping up on Chrisley Knows Best, Nashville, Fixer Upper, The Voice, and American Idol.

Honestly, I gave up on those last two a couple years ago but they roped me back in.

Especially, American Idol since it is the final season.

After the last episode, my favorite is Trent on AI.

And Curly Sue, I mean Alisan is my favorite on The Voice right now :)

What I'm listening to

X and I like to dance to pretty much anything on the radio these days.

But I am really into Thomas Rhett songs lately.

And has anyone heard Nelly's version of Die a Happy Man?

What I'm wearing

Layers!

When we wake up it is barely above freezing, but when we leave work some days are in the 60's!

What I'm doing this weekend

I am going to a baby shower for a friend on Sunday.

Think all things PINK!

What I'm looking forward to next month

I am attending a Ladies Alive event with some friends in Columbus,

and I have my SIL's baby shower!

What else is new

We recently changed our offices around and I am loving it!

I have my old desk in my new office, and Mic set up these GIANT dual monitors for me!

Holy smokes you all are beautiful!

Not that you weren't before, but it is amazing to truly see you all :)

Bonus Question

What is your favorite Spring cleaning tip?

Honestly, I don't have any :(

I guess, just do it!

You will be happier than if you just let it all go :)

Link your #ThinkingOutLoudThursday post below,

and don't forget to link back to X-tremely V & Penny's Passion!

Style Perspectives | Bright Pants

On most days I wear dress pants to work that are black, gray, or brown.

But in the spring/summer and on the weekends I like to add some color!

Bright pants or shorts are such an easy way to add a little something something to my rather plain outfit.

See the examples below....

These green jeans from Old Navy (super old, similar) just add some fun to my fairly plain chambray shirt and cognac boots.

And my white tee and black leather jacket were just begging for some fun orange jeans (old, similar)!

And when I am really feeling confident I pull out my fun palazzo pants (exact, similar)!

These are seriously one of my very favorite pairs of pants to wear from Spring to Fall.

They are super comfy, forgiving, and easily go from work to evening :)

Like I said above, the brights tend to come out during the summer months for me.
Like these amazing shorts from J.Crew Factory (old, same style here)
I swear every year I buy another fun color to add to my collection :)

 These neon yellow shorts are from Target and go really well with tees or tanks.

Linking up today with The Blended Blog :)

Make sure to check out how the rest of the stylish ladies over there are rockin' bright pants or shorts!

Other Style Perspective Posts

White Pants

And thanks to those wonderful people at Disney I have another DVD giveaway for you!
B

Everyone knows "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," but after that story ended, a remarkable friendship began! Team up with newfound best friends Goldie and Bear on amazing adventures as they laugh, play and learn important life lessons in the wondrous Fairy Tale Forest.

Climb a beanstalk with Jack, try on Little Red's famous hood, outsmart the tricky Big Bad Wolf, and much more. Join Goldie and Bear - and your favorite fairytale and nursery rhyme characters - for magical, song-filled fun you'll treasure today and ever after!

Click Here to enter!

Let's Talk | Moms

Happy Monday!

Linking up today with Erika & Andrea for another round of...

Today is all about Moms :)

Mine is simply the best!

End of story.

But, for your sake I will continue ;)

This is my mom.

 She truly dislikes having her picture taken, so some of the only ones I have of her I stole from her Facebook or I caught her off guard.

She is kind, thoughtful, smarter than she realizes, tough as nails,

will do anything for you, etc., etc., etc.

She is one of my best friends.

She is the women I look up to and who I try to model myself after as a mom.

And I may look like her a bit too ;)

And she became even more amazing than she already is when is became a grandma!
Seriously, X hit the jackpot with her!

I may not say it as often as I should or would like to, but you are truly a wonderful person Mom!
Thank you so much for all you do for me, X, Mic, Richie, etc.
Thank you for teaching and showing me how to be a MOM!
I love you!

Special mention goes out to my wonderful grandmas!
Thank you Grandma Schmitz for raising such a wonderful mom for me to have :)
And showing me that age is just a number.

And thank you Grandma Cook for teaching so many things as a kid.
And for raising one of my other best friends!
I wish you were here today to meet Mic and X!

And now that I have tears in my eyes, I am going to stop :)

 I can't wait to read about the amazing moms in your lives!

Happy Friday

Wishing you all a Happy Friday & wonderful Easter weekend!

Taking today off to spend time with two of my favorite guys!

Treat Voxbox

Happy Thursday Friends!

I finally have another vlog post for you all!

Thanks to Influenster for sending a great #Voxbox of items to try out!
And don't mind my after work look,
or Mr. Powdered Donut Face making an appearance at the end 😉
Click here to sign up and start scoring fun times from Influenster for yourself!

Link your #ThinkingOutLoudThursday post below!

And don't forget to link back to X-tremely V & Penny's Passion :)

My Life In Mix Tape Form | Part 1

I don't know about any of you, but music is something I have a deep love for.
I fell in love with it at a very early age.
For as long as I can remember my dad and I would have weekly jam sessions where we listened and sang along to all kinds of music.
From Def Leppard to Bon Jovi, to Prince to Madonna, to The Eagles and more!
I attended my very first concert with my dad when I was 8 years old.
While everyone else was going to Milli Vanilli or NKOTB I went to see Madonna for her Like a Virgin tour!
It was one of the most amazing experiences of my young life.
I continued to deepen my love for live music over the years attending many concerts with friends and with my dad :)

But enough of my history, let's get to the songs or albums that shaped me :)
Linking up today with Andrea @ Momfessionals

My mix tape is more like a library of music than an actual tape.

#sorrynotsorry

*Side Note: As I brainstorm for this post I realize there are way too many songs to list in this post.

Mix Tape Part 2 and beyond will be coming in the future :)

Hair bands, rock, and pop music were my favorites through most of my youth.

1980

1983

1986

1986

1987

1987

 1987

1987

1988

1988

1992

But, in the early 90's I became a fan of country music.
I still love it to this day.
Trisha Yearwood was the very first country album I ever purchased!

1990

1991

1995

2014

In high school I started to explore some hip hop.
Warren G's Regulate album is still one of my all time favorites!
And you can't go wrong with anything by Nelly :)

1994

2002

And then boy bands made a huge comeback as I was finishing up high school!
Backstreet Boys,*nsync, 98*, etc.
I loved them all! And still do!

1996

2000

2011

And what could be better than a boy band?
When the best boy bander ever starts a solo career!
#iwillheartjtforeverandever

2013

And the final two albums I will mention today are just so amazing that I listen to them from beginning to end and love every song on them!

1995

1995

And there you have it for today!

My Life in a Mix Tape Part 1!

I can't wait to check out what songs, albums, or artists you enjoy!

Monster High | Spring Break Giveaway

Splash into a Whole New Monster High™ World! Join your favorite ghoulfriends in an all-new aquatic adventure! When the ghouls get pulled into the school pool, they’re transported to the gore-geous underwater world of the Great Scarrier Reef. Lagoona realizes she¹s come home and, in a fintastic mission of the heart, decides to come to terms with her own freaky flaws. Of course she’ll need some help from the most creeperiffic friends ever as she confronts a frenemy from her past, competes in a scaretastic dance extravaganza, and fights a terrible beast from the deep!

This is perfect for those rainy/cold days of Spring Break!

Enter today to win 1 of 10 copies available!

Friday Favorites

Eek!
I have internet again!
It is crazy how much we depend on the internet to work, communicate, etc.
There were some issues in our area that started yesterday around noon and we just came back up!
So now I am playing catch up with work, blogging, etc.
Oh well!
At least it is Friday and the sun is shining :)

I exercised my right to vote in the Ohio primaries this week.

And then when I got back to work I saw this on Facebook...

 I might just have to pick up that shirt!
Friday Night Lights still is one of my very favorite shows!

Thursday was one of my favorite days of the week - St. Patrick's Day, minus the internet issue.
St. Patrick's Day meant green noodles for lunch from one of my favorite places :)

It was also the first day of March Madness!!!

My favorite time of year to watch basketball!

Who are you cheering for?

I joined some of my "friends" at The Blended Blog this week and talked about different ways to wear one of my favorite clothing items...white pants.

And one of my favorite contestants on American Idol came back last night!
I haven't watched that show in a few years, but I am having a hard time not tuning in since it is the farewell season.
So many of my favorites keep coming back each week!
Are you watching AI this season?

Looking forward to seeing some good friends this weekend, taking X on an Easter egg hunt at his school, and (hopefully) welcoming the first day of Spring with lots of sunshine!

And today at 5pm starts Spring Break for X!

YEH!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci :)

Irish You A Happy Day!

Happy Thursday!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy first day of March Madness!

March 17th is always one of my favorite days of the year :)

I always make sure to celebrate the little bit of Irish heritage I have with all things green!

Essie Mojito Madness nail polish

I typically will have one of my many Irish socks on.

And if I can't find something to wear to work, I will just throw on my shamrock scarf!

I picked this bad boy up a few years ago at Sears for less than $5!

It isn't just me who has to rock green on St. Patrick's Day...X must wear it too!

We even picked up this fun/silly hat one year at Target :)

As for food, we have made green pancakes and added some Lucky Charms marshmallows on top,

drank green milk or adult beverages,

and I typically make Shepherd's Pie (similar recipe) for dinner and dye the mashed potatoes green :)

 One year we went out for dinner and grabbed the green pasta that Skyline Chili makes only on St. Patrick's Day.

I wish every day could have a certain color or theme assigned to it! lol!

This one was too funny not to share ;)

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Do you wear green or change the color of your food?

Do you have any Irish recipes?
I would love to give them a try!

Link your #ThinkingOutLoudThursday post below :)

And don't forget to link back to X-tremely V & Penny's Passion!

And check out some of the other great blogs linking up!