Good-bye my sweet Tuck buddy.  I'll always love you.

returns...

Yesterday, I finally got to visit the new Lululemon store that has just opened at Short Pump Mall. I was honestly so excited.  The store is beautiful and has a great energy about it.  I could have bought a million things. I choose a few items to try in the dressing room, the Pure Focus Tank, Run:Swiftly Tech Tank, Run: Speed Short. Of course after figuring out the right size and fit, I loved everything about all these items. So I walked to the register and by the time I got there I decided not to get the Pure Focus Tank. It's not that I didn't love it but I just new that I don't really need it right now. So, continuing with my purchases I did buy the tank and the shorts. I was certainly excited with my first Lululemon purchase with the fun reusable bag.  Later that day as I tried on the shorts and tank again I started to feel guilty for buying them.

I woke up this morning and I decided to return them to the store.  I really don't like returning things and I always feel like I have to give a reason about the return. Sometimes I just didn't like the fit once I tried on at home and sometimes it was just not my style after all. The problem with this return is I really did want to keep the shorts and the tank.  I went in the store and the Lululemon ladies could not have been nicer. I just told them the honest to goodness truth and that I hoped to be back soon to shop. My goodness I couldn't get over how nice and understanding they seemed to be about my return.  

Hopefully, I will go back again soon. I highly recommend stopping into the Lululemon Short Pump store. They also offer a free fitness class on Sundays!

On a side note, as I was writing this post and the kids were playing in the playroom.  Actually jumping from the ottoman to the bean bag chair Baxter fell and broke his leg.  I feel so bad for my little guy.   Off to snuggle up to him and try to get some sleep.

broken bowl...

I can’t believe I made it almost 10 years without breaking a dish. Sure, there have been a few chips here and there, but I have never actually broken a piece of china. The beautiful blue Spode china that I have used every day for the past (almost) 10 years. Until this week, I reached in the cabinet to pull out a bowl and it slipped right out of my hand and broke into two pieces. Certainly not a happy moment but a comment from my husband started me to think about “what does it mean?”

So, ten years ago I was in total wedding mode. Preparing for our special day, receiving lovely shower gifts such as the china. Dreaming of what life would be like as a Mrs. PIcking out outfits for our honeymoon, some of which I still can’t bare to part with. It was such a fantastic time in my life. Fast forward to 2011 and my broken bowl. All I could think about was all that my life has become in the past ten years. A wife, a mother (two kids and one four legged pup), a (better) friend, a daughter (in-law) and a sister (in-law) the list goes on. This may seem silly but while I wasn’t happy that the bowl broke in two, I was happy that ten years later this is what my life has become. I imagine that if I had broken a bowl the first year we were married, I just would have been mad at myself. But now, I feel thankful that this china has served many meals to my family and dear friends. A good reminder that my life is in a very good place with wonderful people surrounding me.

comfy, cozy rug...

I am way behind in posting.  So, right now as we are wrapping up the school year and gearing up for some fun summer pool time...I am making a promise to myself.  I am always unsure of what others will think about my posts or even my writing but today another dear friend reminded me that I just have to be myself.

This weekend I actually did something I never do and I purchased a rug for our living room without showing it to my husband first.  I have always asked for his approval before buying anything of significance for our house, but when I saw this rug I just new it had to come home with me.  Well, I knew it had to come home with me in a truck and my husband because I could never lift it on my own.  So, today we went and picked it up and I have to say it makes me so happy to see it in our living room.  It makes the space seem quieter and warmer.  The way that I happened upon the rug is Megan Lowden of Lowden Design Consulting was hosting a multi-family estate sale.  After previewing photos on her site I knew the sale was not to be missed.  Megan did an amazing job organizing and arranging the sale.  I think she has a great concept, especially for people downsizing that are looking to sell furniture and various things they no longer need.

The rug was a nice unexpected surprise to my weekend.  I have been looking and thinking about a "new" rug for some time but finding the right one is always a challenge.  It's funny how both my 3 and 7 year old have already complimented my choice by saying the rug is "cozy and soft."  I'll try not to make it a habit of buying large things for the house without a second opinion but I am rather pleased with myself that this turned out to be a good thing.

Happy New Year...

Happy New Year and what a great new year we hope it will be...as I sit and reflect on what was 2010,  I am so excited and anxious about what is in store for us  in 2011.  I have some ideas and goals for myself that I can't wait to get moving on and I have high hopes for others in the new year.  


Let's ring in the New Year with love and cheer...and the last few relaxing moments of winter break!