Halloweenie strikes again

I know I've written about this before.

I love dressing up. Dressing myself, my kids, my man (when he plays along.)

Here is my costume this year. Inspired by the lovely Leslie Knope.

I'm currently searching for any and all past costume-y photos.

Here are a few of Halloweens past. Going back in time.

Last year: (I really hope he was trying to make an ogre face.)


I think I skipped a year when we were in Tennessee.
The year before that, I wore this.


The year before that:


And the year before that:


See what I mean?

Here's my kiddos from last year.
(I can't find one of my daughter. She was a nurse.)

We recycled the shark attack costume again this year. It still fit and, I mean, really. It's just awesome.

I did find this pic of Livy as a cheetah.

We've had block partys at camp (the 70's hippie pic is from one of them. I reused that costume for halloween.) They are always more fun when you dress up. 

This is what I wore for a Yee-Haw fundraiser.

Here's hubs from our very first trunk or treat. (Same year I did the Alien van.)

And the year after that, he was a Jonas Brother, but I can't find a pic. (Pam, do you have one?)

This is us at the very first camp block party. It was 80's night.

Big 80s Hair falls for Mr. T.

 

Ok. I've made the case that I LOVE to costume myself and others around me.

Who's with me? 

I know that Pam has pulled off some fabulous costumes, but that's a post she'll have to write. Maybe after her Trunk or Treat this weekend? *hopefully bats eyelashes*

Happy Halloween, everyone!

~Jen

Click below for the 31 days series.

A new us?

I just want to let all of you know, we are still alive and kicking, even if our post quota says otherwise. 

I know this is probably a conundrum, but if you haven’t been able to find us (how are you here?) it’s because our URL has changed. 

Ta-da!  Here’s the new us.

http://www.pjstilnoon.com/

Remember the days of www.pjs-til-noon.com?  (ps, Windows Live Writer automatically linked that, if you click on it, you’ll get an error screen.)

Well those days are no more.  It’s like a fresh start for us. 

I’d like to thank my BFF, Pam, for setting us up with our very own web address.  I would have been fine with the .blogspot url, but she is the wonderful wizard behind the curtain of our very own place in this world. (How many more song/movie references can I squeeze in here?)

So.  That’s all I have to say for now. 

Add us to your bookmarks, reader, favorite pages, whatever.  And you’ll  be treated with an update on average, every month.  For FREE!  Now if that’s not a deal, I don’t know what is.

We love this little blog.  We haven’t forgotten you. 

Love,

Us

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Warning: I've decided to forgo any long and involved backstory to this post, I've decided to take it directly from my journal. Also I was going to say in this case the devil ISN'T in the details but honestly I've never been sure how to appropriately use that particular phrase. Feel free to enlighten me.

Some days I am crushed by the weight of making decisions. All decisions, the big, scary, life-changing parenting/career decisions and the itty-bitty 'what's for dinner' decisions. I love my family. I know it's cliche but they are truly my pride and joy. They are also my identity. Thankfully it's one I've worn proudly for many years. (I'm sure I'll continue to display the Mom badge on my vest for many years to come! I've earned it!)

(Awe, aren't they cute little, life force drainers? I kid, I kid! I adore them!)

But I know God has begun to plant the tiniest seed of a new dream deep within my soul. And I am afraid of what He's going to ask of me. I tremble to even ask Him what the plan is or what it might (and I stress MIGHT) entail.

But on rare days, like today, I dream of accepting the position without even reading the requirements. My dreams soar and dip and twist. They send my pulse racing with excitement and at the same time my chest tightens in anxiety. (Dare I hope that you, my sweet little blog, will be part of this change?)

There it is again, that fear of the unknown comes creeping back. No, not fear of the unknown, fear of exposure. Exposing a new identity to my world. Showing a different side of me, the 35-year-old, mother of four who could stand to lose a few (okay a bunch) of pounds.

I hide behind my four beautiful children. I hide behind my home. I hide behind my responsibilities. I hide behind my weight. I hide behind my mom uniform (jeans and a plain black tee). I hide behind my routine in the every day.

So in the year of our Lord two thousand and eleven, I'm making a to-do list. No goals or resolutions.

Number one on my list? Rediscovering me. I don't have a 12 step program or even a *new* self-help book. Nope, I'm gonna do that by doing this:

Loving the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and all my mind. ~paraphrasing Matt. 22:27

May 2011 bring you many days of peace, happiness, love, discovery, and of course many, many days of staying in your PJs til Noon.

A product we can get into (get it?) (heh heh)

Have you seen this? I know it’s making its way around the interweb. Everyone’s making fun, but I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT!!!

Pajama Jeans.

Comfortable like sweats, stylish like jeans.

So comfortable, you’ll want to sleep in them.

Pam and I have been heard. Our desire to stay in our pajamas all day has not fallen on deaf ears.

Now this company has not paid us for this post, but they totally should. They should totally sponsor this blog. I mean, really. What better fit is there for them than PJsTilNoon?

I think that if these live up to their promises, I may have to get about 5 pair and wear them every day.

Just imagine the possibilities.

You’re taking a nap and some pesky delivery person rings the bell. You jump up and nobody is the wiser. He’s thinking, “She’s put together, ready to go out and now that she’s not waiting on this package, she can.” instead of “Wish I could lay around all day, but some people gotta work for a living.”

Now I know what you’re thinking. If we are willing to share with the world wide web that we love staying in our pjs until noon, why would we care what Mr. UPS man thinks? Well, obviously we really don’t care enough to actually transition out of the pjs, but pjs that masquerade as actual clothing… we may have to re-name the blog.

All-PJs-All-The-Time.com has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

It’s LOST Day!!!!

In case you’re new around here, I’m a HUGE Lost fan.

When it’s on I faithfully watch and recap.

Then I post my recap with other lame committed Lost fans who do the same thing.

I’m just putting out this warning that for the next few months, there will be weekly updates and you may want to skip Wednesday night or Thursday morning around here if you’re not a fan.

I retweeted this today from The Diaper Diaries.

“I find it sad that there are people on this earth whose day is not revolving around the Lost premiere tonight. Their lives must be so empty.”

My sentiments exactly.

But, not to leave you with nothing but Lost expectation, here’s a sweet moment from the Grammys. No it’s not a nearly naked Pink hanging in the air. It’s a mash up of Elaine Benes/Dave Matthews and their unique dancing styles.

Enjoy!

Sorry about the video being so big, it was the smallest I could get. But it's worth it.

She's got Flair!!!

I just had to share. I made this flair for Pam on Facebook. (Pat on the back.) Look familiar? It seems to be a theme.

Now all of you out there are jealous, I know. No need.

You too, can find it and use it. It is published under Pretty, Girly, BFF.

Now, go share some Facebook, Flair & BFF love.

Go on.

Now.

Or stick around and read our past posts and comment.

It will make our day.

Top Ten Things I heart

Oh, you're wondering if I just became a middle school girl. Well, IDK. I was perusing around my reader today and came across ohamanda & her top ten linky. So I decided to participate.
With all the crazyness of my so called life right now, I cannot possibly be expected to come up with a well-thought out, witty and insightful post. I can barely put dinner together, so count yourselves pretty durn lucky that I'm coherent at the moment.
So let's dive right in before this window closes, shall we?

1. I heart heart heart Farm Town on Facebook. Weird looks from everyone now, I know. And at the moment I'm only getting the green screen of doom so maybe absence of it is why it made # 1. This is a happy little place where you can plant crops and have virtual animals that never poop or throw up on your new couch. Sure, your avitar cannot do normal things like bend at the knee or raise a hand, but mine is always smiling. I change her hair often, like my own hair, we're adventurous.

I have given this some thought.
I'm in the middle of a pseudo move that I don't want to make. I think that having this little corner of the web with neighbors of my choosing is like a little fantasy world. Now, the one person that I really want for a neighbor that I don't already have is not even on Farm Town. (Pam!!! Get crackin.)
But really, it is plain fun to escape for a while and chat with my neighbor/niece who lives 2 states away. Enough said. Check it out, you just may get hooked too. Watch out for the marketplace, though. It is full of unemployed beggars.

2. Twitter. My hubs is growing weary of twitter. He gets angry when people he's following tweet about mundane everyday things. HELLO!!! That is the whole point of twitter. I try to tell him this to no avail. I think I need to remind him of a certain hour spent waiting for an appointment in which he tweeted numerous random, mundane things that we all had to suffer through enjoyed.
I love the random everyday updates on people's lives. I feel like I know them better for having known when their toothbrush fell in the toilet or getting great concert tix or just the daily deep thought that one of our friends posts.
I have gotten tired of some people's posts and you know what I did? I unfollowed them. Simple as that.
Now, while I don't post my blog updates on twitter, (I really don't know why, it feels like shameless self-promotion ---as if letting people know that I'm avoiding packing for the move at all costs is really much better) I appreciate those big time bloggers who do. I love getting to their site quickly and adding one of the first comments. Now that's self-promotion, it just feels less shameless to me.
Ok, now I can't get the Garth Brooks song out of my head.
And as a sub-item in this category, I love twhirl. It pops up a tiny little window with each new tweet and a cute little ding on top of whatever I'm doing. I don't have to go looking when I get a new tweet it just appears. Gotta love that.
BTW -- this is my twitter.

3. Paperbackswap. I heart this site. You sign up, post books that you don't want and get free ones of your choosing in return. It is a little more complicated than that, but not much. I have gotten book club books, books that I have wanted for years, and some that just intrigued me but would never have spent money on. I can always turn around and post it if the book doesn't do it for me. And these days, with everyone tightening the purse strings, it's a great way to get almost free entertainment. You do have to send books in order to get credit to receive books, but the cost is under $2.50.
If you are a big time reader, like me, this is almost nothing compared to the coin we drop in book stores, new & used. I have shocked myself before that I spent that much on books, and in the same thought, excused myself because, well...it's for books. Reading is fundamental, after all.

4. Reading. Ok, I realize the last one was all about reading, but this is sorta different. I have previously stated my love for books. But I am thrilled to have passed on my obsession to my oldest son. Davy (13) is reading like a mad man. He is really into these sci-fi fantasy type books. Don't ask me too many questions, I space out when he tells me the plots. Half-bird, half-man, half-something kind of creatures. After that, my mind went on a wander. I really do try to engage when he's talking so passionately about his books. Half-birds and my thought process must be incompatible. The point is he is reading. He's loving reading. He reads in the living room, in the bed, in the bathroom (don't say ew, you do it too), in the car.
This makes me happier than any of these others, but I'm not rearranging this cause I'm lazy.
I'm beyond overjoyed that he has found the wonder of walking around inside an engrossing story.

5. The freezer. Huh? you may ask. Well, right now I am on a spending freeze. This is not voluntary, we have no liquid cash. Who am I kidding. We have no kind of cash. I've tried to spend monopoly $, it doesn't work and you could lose your right to vote. Don't be like me.
So I have an entire deer waiting to be eaten in my freezer. Dave likes to hunt, and with that comes venison that I rarely use. Fast forward to now, we have all this venison that I don't really like making, but on the bright side, venison is better than, say... salt soup.

6. Coming up with things that I heart.
I'm running low, folks. This has been a fun way to look around and think, ok I like that, but do I heart it? I really love that, but heart is a cutesy, sorta fun upgrade of like. To be fair, I do love #4, but I had to include it. Sue me.

7. The DVD player in our car.
With weekly trips that are equivalent to movie run time, this has been an absolute life saver. I'd like to rent newish movies for each trip so they have something new to keep them occupied. See #5. They're stuck with all the old ones we own for now. But we try to pull out ones they haven't seen for a while. Davy ignored the last movie altogether, and said after the trip, he felt like he had been reading for only 15 minutes. My spirit soared.

8. My dish scraper.
You know the ones that come with stoneware. I love to use these to clean off the ick from a pan before tackling it with my scrubby. Then all the bits don't get in my scrubby.
See, there is some methodical thinking in me after all. Who knew?

9. Packing my house to move.
Huge PSYCHE!!! (90's flashback)
If you knew me at all you would know I have been avoiding this like the plague. I have many good reasons.
I have WAAAYYYY too much stuff and it's overwhelming, I don't know where to start.
I don't want to be moving in the first place.
I really need a good marker for my boxes.
I'm doing it all alone, and that's not fair.
See, I needed to fill # 9 and all I came up with were excuses.

10. Brevity.
Could you imagine if I didn't have some self control, how long this post would be?

Mii Needs a Bigger Shirt

I Love My Personal Trainer! Oh yeah, girls, he’s totally hot! I mean I really love him, truly deeply and have for almost 17 years now. (I feel old!) I guess you’ve figured out my ‘trainer’ is my dearest darling hubby. I really love that man, but I could almost really dislike being trained by him. (You just can't use the word hate and hubby in the same sentence! It does not work!)

Let me just give you a little background, Daryl is in great physical shape. He’s a natural athlete, loves anything and everything to do with sports and being active. I’ve actually heard him say ‘I love to sweat.” Eww…I (who already have issues w/ sweating, I know gross) hate anything to do with sweat.

Just one rabbit trail, please, and then I’ll try and stay on the hunt. Why do men think it’s funny to say ‘feel my shirt’ when it’s disgustingly soaked with their sweat? Is this just my hubby? And why did it take me 10, okay, 15 years, to learn NEVER to touch, smell, or taste anything when he holds it up and says ‘hey, _______(touch, smell, taste) this!”

Getting back to the facts, hubby is probably only 10 pounds heavier than when we married in ’93. I have ..um let me see how I can put this..gained approximately 3.2 lbs for every year we’ve known each other. I also have a strong dislike of any physical exertion. Not to mention I’m also unathletic, uncoordinated, unbalanced (just ask my Wii Fit), and unmotivated. However, just like every other new year we have once again started a ‘healthier lifestyle’ journey.

Which brings me back to my personal trainer, here’s a little peek into last night’s first session with the Bow Flex (it had been sent to Exile Island but was allowed back into the tribe last night, I’ll let you know if it found the hidden immunity idol).

D: All right, let’s go. What do you want to start with 40 or 50 lbs?
P: Um, 10 or 15.
D; That’s not enough, you need to sweat.
P: I need to take it easy so I can move tomorrow.
D: You don’t look like you’re straining at all.
P: I’m not and don’t want to. (next set of reps) Did you increase the weight?
D: It’s not my job to keep up with what you’re lifting. (Um excuse me but it is.)
P: (inaudible) liar liar pants on fire.

Enter son #2 who is athletic like his father and also ‘working’ out with us.
J: Mom, (insert obnoxious 11 year old snicker) can’t you do more? I did more than that.
P: J, if you don’t go away your mama is really gonna smack you.
D: Seriously son, step away from your mama, this is not the time.

Fast forward a bit.
D: Do jumping jacks while you’re waiting for your turn.
P: (looking at him like he’s crazy) Um, no!
D: Why not?
P: Because I gave birth to four children…do you want details?
D: Ugh..no. Well do something to keep your heart rate up.
P: I am, I’m watching American Idol.

Poor baby, he really does have his work cut out for him, doesn’t he? And honestly I am very grateful he's willing to assist me on my journey to help my Mii at least be able to find a shirt that fits (see above pic)--thanks babe, you're the best!

For more ‘Things I love Thursday’ just jumping jack flash yourself over to The Diaper Diaries.

My Nightmarish Nightstand

After Jen posted her pics of her gorgeous bedroom, her lovely oh so neat nightstand, and her very interesting and intellectual list of books, I was utterly embarrassed to try and compete with my BFF. So let this be my disclaimer I am only posting this information to prove that …hmm...what am I trying to prove? I guess that I am very unadventurous in my reading habits. And, yes, I’m messy, as well. Hey, my other blog isn’t named Mom of Many Messes just because it was a cute alliteration.

Enough rambling, let’s get on with the reading tour of my nightstand and other book stashes. Currently on my nightstand are the following items (and yes, I’m going to detail everything, not just books).

· My alarm clock which I hate. I would gladly never ever use an alarm clock again if only school would start ‘whenever’.

· My lamp, it has been with me forever. Honestly it still has peach ribbons my mom hot glued on the shade. I’m guessing it’s over 20 years old.

· Lady Speed Stick Super Duper Industrial Strength, yeah, cause I sweat like that...gross but true (also this is not my fave brand of S.D.I.S. deodorant, just what was on sale at CVS, this is NOT an endorsement).

· Burt’s Bees Coconut foot crème AND B&BW coconut lotion. I love me some coconut for those dry and scaly patches (again gross I know, sorry but it’s on my nightstand).

· My bible is at the top of my stack, see how worn and tattered it is, I’ve spent HOURS, probably DAYS, reading it! Well considering I got it when I was 15 or 16…yeah, it’s edging close to the 20 year mark, too. I do try to read it daily, most days…

· There’s a journal where I record my special prayer requests, weight loss triumphs and failures and failures and, well you get the point.

· ‘On the Shores of Silver Lake’ by Laura Ingalls Wilder, I found it when I was digging in my stash; I used to read this series probably once a month in elementary school.

· ‘A Tale of Three Kings’, one of my dad’s favorite books that I’ve read a couple of times, I’ve got to get that back to him!

· A couple of magazines, I love a magazine. Shiny, glossy pages, a new treat on every page! There’s always a mix which could include: Good Housekeeping, TV Guide, All You, Taste of Home, Simply Delicious, and yes, sometimes I even have a celebrity gossip rag in the mix. I also read Children’s Ministry and K! (another ministry mag). And this list will grow due to all the freebies I’ve signed up for in the last month…woo-hoo!

· There’s a Kohl’s catalog/flyer. Do you remember the Sears catalog? My sisters and I would fight over it when it came. My first pair of splatter-print pants was ordered from that catalog. Hey, I was styling in 1985! The first (and only) kid in the small south-western Va. School...sigh...I was so before my time! I won’t tell you (at least right now) about the homemade parachute pants my mom made for me.

· And last but not least there’s a stack of my preferred ‘recreational’ Regency Romance paperbacks. Currently I’m on a Joan Smith kick, I won’t list them out.

So that’s my nightmarish nightstand! The other pics are of books in the floor beside my nightstand and stacked on my dresser. These are mainly Christian writers. Also in the way of full disclosure, there are several books there which should be marked TBR. Don't worry it's not the regencies!

And the last picture is of my treasure trove. I have a closet that’s all mine (and yes that’s not all of them…I have several boxes scattered in other various closets throughout the house). Addiction? Yes.

Now you understand why I stay in my PJs way past noon too many days!

Get to know Jen (not in the Biblical sense)

Here are a few random things about me. Everyone is doing these 25 things lists on all the social sites. I thought I’d join in on the fun. I will not commit to or limit myself to 25. I’ll just do whatever comes to mind.

Here we go.

I am 33 at the moment.
I got married at 18. We eloped and didn’t tell anyone for 2 months. (Didn't seem unreasonable at the time, really regret that last part now. Ahh well...)
I have a 12 y-o son, 9 y-o daughter and 7 y-o son.
I suspect that I’m going through some pre-menopause hot flashes (or 1 constant one).
I love British humor.
I’m an amateur interior decorator.
I have a small fabric store in my sewing room.
I’m a true-born southern girl, raised in SC.
I can tell you where to get the best BBQ in the world. I’m serious. There's no kidding when it comes to this BBQ.
I love to sing.
Bon Jovi is my favorite band.
My sense of style is changing.
There is an ongoing battle against clutter at our house, and I’m not hopeful.
I get a headache if I sleep too late. (Not happy about that one).
The new turquoise-y blue is my favorite color.
I have a star-trek nerd lurking somewhere in my psyche.
I need to lose more than a few pounds.
My bookshelves are groaning under the weight of books, 2 deep on most shelves.
I make my bed just before I get in it.
I’m a procrastinator and not the best time manager.
I get bored and change my hair, cut and color about twice a year.
Sunday afternoon naps are a necessity of survival.
I'm horrible to shop with, unless you also like to spend 3 hours combing the ENTIRE store.
I can play the piano, if one recital song counts as playing. But I play it well.
I’m easily distrac

Jen has a side too.

HA!! It is nice to know that I have influence. We have been talking about this for a while now and have actually started. I'm so excited!
I'm Jen by the way. Pam pretty much already told all about me. It is true, I love a good book. I have even been known to read a bad book just to have something to read. Bad as in crappy, not filthy. I do have some standards.
Pam and I have been friends now for 21/2 years and that is only because that is when we met. It was instant friendship. We now embrace the BFF philosophy. Others scoff but we laugh. I think that is one of the bedrock principles of our friendship. We laugh. And then we laugh some more. Can you get a picture of our silly giggles?
I hope that in our posts, you will laugh. I truly cannot imagine life without laughter.
Now, on to more important things.
I'm a total pj wearing mom/wife/girl. I'm a coffee drinker (who isn't?). I'm a birdwalker. I'll be on one subject and wander off like that little old lady who walks away in the middle of your conversation. I admit it. I can promise variety. Hopefully it will not be boring. As I look back and read this, it is a little boring. Sorry about that. Maybe I'll get the hang of this and get better.
Basically, I'm just your average mom trying to do her best without the benefit of a Type A personality.

Jen

Pam's Version of the Story

~Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.” CS Lewis

A blog with my BFF...how did I let Jen talk me into this? I’m not sure but I’m really glad she did. By the way this is Pam, the P of the PJ. I thought I’d give you (that’s you, our readers, all five of you if we count our moms and the people we’re paying—who am I kidding, my mom won’t read this unless I print it out for her) some background info from my perspective.

Jen is about six weeks older than me (and always will be—ha ha!) Last year we both celebrated the fourth anniversary of our 29th birthday. If you are thinking “ huh?” that means this year we’ll be turning 34. See, Jen, I didn’t actually say our age!

Jen and I are so similar it’s sometimes scary. It’s good we don’t sit beside each other in church because her wit just won’t stop and that makes me snicker at very inappropriate times. Both husbands are on staff at our church—see why I can’t snicker, I have a rep to maintain, my hubby is the children’s pastor and Jen’s is the youth pastor.

We have ministry in common. We’re 80s rockers at heart—we know all the words to Living on a Prayer. We’re insatiable readers, Jen is varied and reads anything she can get her hands on, I’m stuck in a rut with my beloved Regency Romances. Our sense of humor is definitely skewed—we laugh at the dumbest things. So basically when we’re together we act like the goofy 8th grader we once were, it’s so much fun!

I think we share a similar outlook on life. We love staying in our PJs til noon, letting the dishes wait until tomorrow, and taking a break with our feet up and a good book. I think I speak for both of us when I say we try to keep stress to a minimum while still being the best mom, the best wife, the best homemaker, and the best Christ follower we can be!

I can't wait to see how Jen describes us and our blog ambition. I hope you ‘ll check back in on us and see just how long we can stay in our PJs.

Pam