Preparing for a Trip....Oh, My!!!

Nothing says "Fall" in Texas quite like Friday Night Football!  And this week the Bowie Jackrabbits are celebrating Homecoming with lots of festivities.  This is important because......Bowie is Eddie's hometown and he was a "mighty Jackrabbit" once upon a time!  So, we are headed out for the three-hour trip to attend the celebration.

Now, I have consulted with two of his sisters who are also attending the events (one is flying in from California; the other lives here in Abilene).  I say to them, "What does one wear to Bowie's Homecoming and reunion activities?"  From one sister I get a response which can be summarized as "I'm not sure....so, I'm gonna throw my whole closet at 'em!"  From the other, "Probably casual, but you know it will be hotter than Hades!"

Hmmmmmm.....not much help, huh?  LOL.

So, I decided to take Eddie's approach to packing for a trip.  Here it is in a nutshell:

• Take jeans!  (Always a "wardrobe staple" - can be dressed up or down, right?)
• Black shoes and belt; brown shoes and belt  (Being a woman, I must add black purse and brown purse.)
• Assorted shirts in different weights and styles that can be paired with either/or brown and black accessories. 

So, I hit my closet.....then did a bit of shopping because, to be honest, some of my clothes just aren't fitting anymore since I've been going to the gym!  (And I am loving that "problem"!)

Here is what I will be packing.....

 
Jeans in my new size - all purchased on sale or using Eddie's discount at Academy.  All in lower rise style and boot cut.  And, since it is still pretty warm here, I have thrown in a couple of pairs of denim capri's....

Brown belt and black belt - new purchases (Relic belts 40% off at Kohl's and I had a $10 off coupon!) because I did not own a belt that would fit lower on the hips with new jean styles.

Brown Clark's mules - my only real "splurge".  I have been wanting them anyway and really, really needed them.  My old brown clogs were 7 years old and on their last lap!  I will get lots of mileage out of these, trust me.

Black "Yellowbox" blingy flip-flops - already had these, along with black wedge slip-on's (just in case I need something a little dressier than flip-flops - although, I don't know how you can get dressier than giant rhinestones on black patent leather flip-flops).

Black purse - check; brown purse - check!

You notice three simple little tee's....in beige, red and green.  For traveling and an extra change in between activities.  You just never know when you might need a spare and they don't take up much room.

Now, for the "shirts".....


Far right shirt was a steal I got from a vendor at the recent West Texas Fair & Rodeo - $7.99!

This one, I picked up at Ross for $10.99.  How can you go wrong with black???  And the little ruffles and flower/ribbon embellishments seem to be pretty hot right now.....

I love this one from Reba's collection at Dillards.  I love her clothing line, but find it to be a bit Pricey!  However, this one was marked down on the clearance rack, so I snagged it for 60% off.

And finally, this blingy little number - another deal from that vendor at the Fair - $7.99!  (Very similar shirts in Reba's collection run $78.)

There you have it.  For better or worse, that is all I am packing for this trip!  (Well, I will be adding undergarments, of course!  But, I didn't think I should photograph them!)  I can mix and match whatever tops and bottoms suit me when I get there.  I can dress up or down a bit with accessories.

But, above all, I'm just not going to "sweat it" anymore!  I have just exhausted myself worrying about it....

Do you do this when preparing for a trip, especially when you're not sure quite what to expect from a "fashion perspective"?  Please, tell me I'm not the only woman who agonizes over clothes....

By the time this posts, we will be on the road, headed to Bowie.  So, see you again after the Weekend!!!

Jane

The Versatile Blogger....and more than you probably wanted to know about Me!!!

Wow!  How exciting is this?!?!?!  My first blog award from Jennifer over at Southern Inspirations!  I hope you will take a moment to check out Jennifer's blog and learn 7 fun and interesting things about this relatively new blogger who is quickly gaining a following....and deservedly so!

A "Versatile Blogger" brings everything to the table - a little of this and a little of that."

Now, here are the rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:

• Thank & link back to the person who gave you the award  (Thanks & hugs to Jennifer!!!)
• Share 7 things about yourself  (Only 7?!?!?!?)
• Pass the award on to (up to) 15 other bloggers who you have recently discovered and think are fabulous  (With pleasure!)
• Contact the bloggers you chose and let them know about the award.  (Will do!)

Alrighty then, here we go.....

1. My husband and I live just 4 blocks from the house where I grew up....and only 2 blocks from the house where I lived when my kids were younger.  I guess you could say I love this neighborhood....I seem to keep winding up back here!
2. I recently got contacts and they are great....I can see individual leaves on the trees from a distance!  But....I need "readers" more than ever.  This is a real bummer even though the optometrist warned me it would mostly likely be this way.  Thankfully, it's easy to find lots of really cute, relatively inexpensive "readers", so I can still be stylish!
3. Okay, I admit it....I sing along with the music in my car shamelessly!  I just can't help it....and I really can't carry a tune.  But, in my mind I sound like a cross between Miranda Lambert and Celine Dion....strange combination, I know, but it's all in my mind.  Right?
4. I am a huge fan of "To Kill a Mockingbird", both book and movie.  I can't tell you how many times I have watched the movie and I've read the book multiple times.  I have one question, though:  when Scout and Jem are walking home after the Fall program and are attacked in the woods, why were they alone?  Shouldn't Atticus have been with them after attending the program???  Of course, then they wouldn't have been attacked and the entire plot would have been altered, but I'm just wonderin'....
5. I love FLIP-FLOPS!  If you share this love, you understand, so enough said.  
6. My given name is Jane Kimberley.  My mother picked "Jane" because she said she always dreamed of having four little girls and naming them Jane, Jill, Joan and Judy.  I was the firstborn, hence Jane. (I only have one sister, so she never got past Jill....)  My dad picked "Kimberley" after hearing of the death of a mother and her little girl in an auto accident prior to my birth.  The little girl's name was Kimberley and he really liked the way it sounded with Mom's "Jane".  At least this is the story that they told me.....
7. I am studying to become a licensed Realtor in Texas!  Big career change for me at this point in my Life, but really exciting.  I am finishing up the final class of my educational requirements before being allowed to take the state licensing exam, so hopefully it won't be long now!                                                     

So, there you have it ~ 7 things about me that you probably didn't know.  

And now for the fun part....I pass The Versatile Blogger award to some of my favorite finds in BlogWorld....

All That Glitters

Our Sears Kit Home

The Altered Past

Gypsy Heart

24 Maple Lane

Frou-FruGal

Echoes of Laughter

Take My Breath Away

Nanniepannie's Blog

Vanilla Bean Baker

I hope you will take the time to check out each and every one of these blogs....they are all different, all unique! 


Thanks again to Jennifer at Southern Inspirations!  (Got ya in there twice, girl!!!) 


Until tomorrow.....


Jane

A Day for Which I Am Grateful...

This past weekend, I had the opportunity take a little day trip up to Lubbock to see an uncle who was in Texas, visiting from California.  I haven't seen Uncle Roy, my mother's younger brother, in about 15 years....so this visit was long overdue.

I was worn out from preparing for and helping host our granddaughter's 4th birthday party at our house on Saturday afternoon.  In addition, I had a stuffy head, sore throat and itchy eyes from a full-blown allergy attack, but I was determined to make it up to see him on his last full day in Texas.  So, I stopped at the convenience store on my way out of town to gas up the car and grab a coffee.  The drive takes about 2-1/4 hours and I was there before lunch.

My mother had gone up on Thursday to spend  a few days with her sisters and get in a longer visit with Roy.  When I arrived, it was as if the years melted away....and I was little Jane Kimberley, with my uncles teasing me all over again. 

The temperature was mild and we spent most of the time on Aunt Liz's screened in porch.  She had made her famous banana pudding, a yummy rum cake and a big ol' pot of beans.  A cousin and her husband, in from Fort Worth, had brought a smoked brisket.  We enjoyed a big meal together, plates perched in our laps and styrofoam cups of tea with our names pencilled on the them sitting close at hand.

It was delightful and entertaining to watch my mother, her two younger brothers, and her two older sisters interact.  They talked about their childhood, sometimes quibbling over details of certain incidents.  (However, they were all in agreement about Roy pulling all the orange pom-poms off the trim of their mother's new curtains!)  We all laughed and sighed over their shared memories.  They posed for pictures, exchanged e-mail addresses, and had second helpings of banana pudding.

The Thornburg Offspring - Kenneth, Becky, Linda, Roy Jr. (l to r); Elizabeth (seated)

When it was time to say goodbye, all the sisters teared up.  They stood in the drive and waved until my uncle's truck turned the corner.  Then, we went inside and had a second helping of rum cake.

As the day wound down, I too said my goodbyes and got back on the road.  But, I found myself dawdling a bit on the way home.  After about 40 miles on the road, I pulled over at a rest area perched at the edge of the escarpment of the Llano Estacado just outside Post.  The sun was getting lower.....making my shadow long.....

While I was here, I gazed in awe at the view.....you can see for miles and miles.....

And I still had miles and miles to go, so I got back on the road.

I pulled over again, about another 30 miles down the road.  I don't know why, but I only stopped briefly and pulled out my camera again.  The sun was sinking lower still and I was struck by the simple beauty of this telephone pole against the sky, a cloud covering the sun....

Pushing on home, I stopped only one more time.  Although I was driving with the sun setting over my right shoulder, I could tell when it was about to dip below the horizon.  So, I swung onto a little gravel road beside a cotton field, just outside Roscoe.  There is a long stretch of wind turbines running on either side of the highway for at least 20 miles....it's almost mind-boggling to see so many of them.  There I watched the sun finish its descent.

I could almost hear it sigh as it's journey for the day was finished and it sank below the horizon....

As I arrived home and the puppies all greeted me with glee, I reflected on what  a wonderful day it had been.  Truly a blessing!  The time spent with Family....the time spent alone on the road....the laughter and hugs....the quiet moments enjoying the beauty of Nature.  My heart was filled with Gratitude for a day well spent.

I am linking up with Heidi over at Heart and Home for Wednesday Gratitude.  Just click HERE to be inspired by beautiful words and images from many a Grateful Heart.

Have you experienced a day like this recently?  A day that will lodge happy memories in your Heart and cause you to stop and smile in remembrance?  Oh, I hope so!

Until next time....

Jane

This Summer's "Hair-morphosis"

Since I put my new profile picture up, I have gotten several comments about my hair - mostly the length, or lack thereof!

So, I thought I would share my "hair-morphosis" over this summer with y'all.

Yes, I started out with longer hair.....it was all one length, except for the super long bangs which never seemed to catch up! 

Sometimes, I took the time to curl it with a large-barreled curling iron....other times, I just blow-dried it straight and let the ends flip up a bit.

But, mostly, I ended up doing this.....

or this....because I didn't feel like making the fuss.

I asked Kippi, my favorite stylist of all time, to add some long layers for body and wore it this way for a few weeks....a nice enough change, but still required too much effort.

As the weather warmed, along about the beginning of May, I decided to have several inches taken off for this shorter bob.

It worked well most of the time....but, then I joined the gym, and hair really became an issue for me.  It wasn't quite long enough to stay put in a ponytail and it was very hot and sweaty. 

So, off I went to have it shortened a bit and layered up.  I have no photos from this period because, well, it was very brief!  It required too much time to style and when I would lay down on the bench in BodyPump, it would turn into a sweaty, flattened MESS!  It had absolutely zero recover-ability from the gym!

Off to Kippi, once again.  This time I said "Let's take it off!"  And we did!  This one worked well for the gym, but I was not quite pleased with the results....I needed to make one more change.....

And, here is where we are now!  I looked at this photo taken a couple of days after it was cut and thought...."Wow.  My hair is SHORT!"

What can I say?  It was either go with bangs - or Botox!  Bangs won out. 

But, now that the fresh-cut feeling has worn off, I am loving it!!!  Something about having short hair is very liberating.  I feel a bit more sassy....maybe even a bit younger, without all that hair weighing me down.

So, that is how my "hair-morphosis" went.  I'm sure it is probably not over yet!  Who knows what I will do next?!?!?  But, I guess that is part of being a woman - never quite satisfied with ourselves and always making little "tweaks".  Aren't you the same way?  At least a little bit???

Rockin' and lovin' my short "do".....

Jane

Confessions of a Punkin'-holic....

My name is Jane.....and I am.....a Punkin'-holic!

Yep, you heard me right.  I am obsessed with all things PUMPKIN!

That's probably why Autumn is my favorite season ~ I can let my addiction 'all hang out" and fit right in. 

You see, I love everything about pumpkins....from the color....

to the feel ~ especially the sorta bumpy ones....

to the "thunk" they make when you thump 'em!

I love 'em big and lopsided....

and tiny and perfect.

I love 'em carved....

or whole.

Glass ones....

Wooden ones....

Tin pumpkins.....

~  they need not even be orange.

By the way, I adore these little pumpkin snacks.  Yeah, I know - they're kinda gross looking, but they really taste Yum-a-licious!

You know, the first time Eddie and I shopped together for pumpkins, I had to give him the crash course in selecting the perfect one.  You see, he didn't know about "stemmage".  And it's all about "stemmage" ~ trust me!  The stem needs to be long and intact ~ the more gnarly, the better. 

 

If you can find one with these little tendril-thingies still intact, you have hit the jackpot!

I've been known to pile up to a dozen pumpkins on my front porch for the months of October and November, allowing Eddie to carve only three or four of my least favorites for Halloween.

(Like this one he did in 2008 to celebrate Texas Tech's victory over University of Texas.  Guns up!!!) 

 

On one occasion, I even pulled over on a deserted country highway and dashed into an already-harvested pumpkin field - in the snow - to rescue a couple of left-over, perfectly good pumpkins that got left behind!  (Okay, I know, that probably wasn't smart - or legal - but they were freezing out there!!!)

I'm already cruising the aisles of the produce department of WalMart and the grocery store, waiting for this year's pumpkins to make their appearance.  I know they're coming.... and soon.  Why just this week, I saw a trio of them at the Farmers' Market, so they must be headed this way! 

Oh, hurry, hurry, all you Precious Punkins'....I just wanna bring you home with me! 

Whew!  You know, I feel better already, having made this confession!

Will be meeting up here on a regular basis throughout the season, so if you're ready to take that step....

and admit your love of this amazing orange vegetable, in all its splendor and glory....

you are more than Welcome to do so! 

Hugs, 

Jane 

Celebrating Fall - Porch-style!!!

Although the temps here have jumped back up to scorching summer levels, I am still eagerly anticipating the arrival of Fall.  In fact, the Porch is now decked out for the upcoming season....

A quick trip to WalMart over the weekend yielded mums for the planter box and clay pots.  The buds are still a little tight, but with each passing day the colorful blooms peek out a tiny bit more.

 The Porch is small, so I am really trying hard not to overdo it.  But, I have to get some favorites out there - after all, they've been with me for several years now....

And there are a couple of new things that just begged to come home with me from the store this year....like the chimes and the scarecrow....

And this fun tin pumpkin on a stake....God bless Hobby Lobby and those 40%-50% off sales!

Hey, look at this old battered wreath that had somehow landed behind piles of "stuff" in the garage.  Gave it a good "blowing off" with the air compressor, fluffed the bow a bit, and now it says "WELCOME" at the side kitchen door....

I don't know why I get so excited about decorating for Fall.......I just do!  And here in a couple of weeks, when we hit October, I will layer in all the fun Halloween stuff that we have accumulated over the years.  So, it's a two-part event!

I am linking up with This Blessed Nest's "FALL FESTIVAL" today.  Just click HERE here to get tons of Autumn Inspiration!

Now, I'm off to rock on the Porch for a bit....

Jane

A Day Off With Eddie....

What a wonderful day off - right here in the middle of the week.

My Husband is one of the hardest working men I have ever known!  Since he works in the retail industry, he has to work a lot of weekends.  Bummer!  But, it also means he has a day or two off in the middle of the week....a day we get to enjoy together while the rest of the world is working.

For those of you who don't know him, this is Eddie.

 I truly look forward to these days off!  Of course, there's always something that needs to be done....like today, it was the yard that needed mowing.  But, we worked together on that and, I must say - we make a "bang up" team!  I mow, sweep and clean up; he edges and does the "weed whacking".  When we were all done today, our little house sparkled like a gem!

Just look at that professional edging job!

Once we get the "honey-do" list done, we get to play some.  Today, we decided to hit the local Farmers' Market.  Pepper bounced and bounced, begging to go....so, we gave in....

Pepper always loves to ride along!

The market was smaller than I expected in a town this size, but it was still fun!  We saw alot of squashes, black-eyed peas and cantaloupes and watermelons.  One vendor even had some fresh figs, persimmons and a trio of early pumpkins!  I wanted one soooooo bad, but decided to wait until the real harvest comes in here in a few weeks.  It's early in the season yet.

After the excursion to the market, we headed to the barber shop for Eddie to get a good grooming.  It's a little backyard barber shop - literally, it is in a little building in the barber's backyard!  If he is in the house having a cup of coffee, you just ring the little doorbell on the shop door and he comes out the back gate to the shop.  It was amazing how fast he worked - I think it took all of three minutes for him to clip Eddie's (remaining) hair!

We finally ended up at Lowes to look at garage doors.  Ours is in a sad state of decay - no saving it!  While we there, we played the "Let's Pretend We Have All the $ in the World" game and looked at doors for the front and side entryways.  From the entire selection, we both picked the very same doors for both places!  Guess you could say we are totally in tune on such things.  (Thank goodness!)

Our choice for the front entry....

....and for the side entry.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent with some quality "down time".  The heat from yard work and all the running around had finally zapped us.  For me, this meant curling up with the dogs for a nap; for Eddie, it meant working on his blog.  (If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, just click HERE  for a sample - the man has Passion and an Opinion.)


As evening approached and the temperature outside started to cool, he fired up the grill and cooked some pork kabobs and grilled the summer squash and zucchini we bought fresh this morning.  Oh, gosh, it was wonderful!  How LUCKY am I to be married to a man who LOVES TO COOK?!?!?     

And now the moon has risen, and our day is winding down.  My heart is filled with Gratitude for this day.  It's been a good - no, make that a wonderful - day!  We didn't do anything "special", but we enjoyed working and being together.  That's what made it "special".

I'm linking up with Heart and Home for Wednesday Gratitude and Chatting at the Sky for Tuesday Unwrapped.  I hope you will check out both of these blogs for some wonderful inspiration! 

Did something Simple make your Heart sing today?  I sure hope so!!!

Jane