{wiws} Palm Sunday

Once again, privileged to join the gorgeous gals over at FLAP for another Sunday of Faith and Fashion!

We attended the Saturday night vigil, because Joe was scheduled as an altar server. You would think this would have given me a little extra time to plan out and execute a stellar outfit. Alas, no. Procrastination, thy name is Mary Kate.

Here's what I do got for you (say it like Joe Pesci; it'll make more sense):

Thanks to Jessica for complimenting me on my "stripey" tights. ;) 

I love that scarf, but haven't been able to figure out a good way to wear it. So, I quickly messaged my fashion consultants (pretty  fine  ladies) and was advised to try tucking in the fringe.

Ready to eat lobster! (Knees-on-Chair belong to my son, Jack)

I liked it better, but it felt like a bib. But, I was out of time! So, on the way to church, I twisted the scarf so it was bit more narrow, tucked in the fringe, and it liked it much more! Of course, I didn't think to snap a picture of that (herding small children through a church parking lot tends to distract me).

Instead, I have a couple of pictures of some models with jealousy issues....

My Outfit brought to you by:

The Gap (shirt)
Macy's (Skirt)
Old Navy (Leggings)
Boots (Target)
Scarf (My Mama!)

Don't forget to go git you some new glasses!

Have a blessed Holy Week and a Happy (?) Palm Sunday with a little help from Sr. Helena Burns!

New Glasses!

*This is an unbiased review of a pair of glasses from Firmoo. While I was offered the glasses free of charge in exchange for a review, this, in no way, affected my review.*

Let me state for the record, I have perfect vision. Ok, nearly perfect. But, lately, old age has been rearing it's ugly head and I find myself squinting at fine print or holding the book thisclose on order to see the words.

Pride being the deadly sin it is, I was not going to admit to any eyesight issues, but maybe I'd see if Walgreens had any non-geriatric reading glasses. They don't.

Lo and behold, the eyeglass gods smiled upon my vain plight, and Firmoo contacted me and asked if I would be so kind as to choose a pair of glasses from their extensive and cool collection and try them out in, all in exchange for a blog review. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for free stuff, so I jumped, bit, whatever...

Firmoo is a "global online optical store" which offers a huge selection of prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses at really affordable prices. You choose your glasses in the comfort of your home, then lovely people at Firmoo do their magic and ship your glasses to you for a low shipping fee!

I had a difficult time choosing between their many frames and I worried that I would look terrible in whatever I chose because I couldn't tell what they would look like on my face. Then, I noticed something..... Firmoo has a very cool feature -- called the Virtual Try-On System -- which allows you to upload your head shot and use it to "try on" all the frames! Problem solved!

After that, it didn't take me long to narrow down the field and then choose the frames I liked best. Wanna see the pair I chose (in tortoiseshell)?

After that, I placed my order and waited. Then, I waited a bit more. I must admit that I felt like Firmoo could speed up the shipping time. In all, it took 11 days from placing the order until I received the glasses. Not terrible, but Kyle recently ordered a pair of glasses from another company and, with regular shipping, they arrived in 5 days. I may not have minded the 11 days, otherwise. In the greater scheme of things, not a huge deal.

My glasses arrived packaged in a hard shell eyeglass container (good!) and complete with fingerprints all over the lenses (not as good!). The fingerprint issue was quickly remedied with a polishing from the enclosed cloth (all better!).

So, I tried on my new glasses:

I was surprised that I liked the way I looked!

And, better still, I can now read things without squinting or giving my nose a paper cut!

Now, the fun part: Firmoo has offered you dear readers a chance to see things normally, too! Just go here to participate in their First Pair Free Program and choose from their selected free pairs of glasses and pay ONLY SHIPPING COSTS!

C'mon! Hurry!

Gimme some Lovin'!

Some BlogLovin'!

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7 Quick Takes: They're Schnozzzing!

1) This week has been a doozy. A DOOZY, I tell you! We have all been dealing with the Mother of All Head Colds. In 2 of the kids, it caused ear infections, while it developed into a sinus infection in one of my teens. And, 2 of us also have bacterial conjunctivitis! We are currently living on nose drops, Robitussin, amoxicillin, and fumes from the vaporizer. Also, I believe I am now permanently covered with a sheen of baby snot. It's shnozzing (combination of sheen and snot and schnoze. See what I did there?!) I am a human Kleenex.

2) The above QT begs the question: what does your doctor call the person at the pharmacy who fills your prescriptions? Our saintly physician calls that person a "druggist". As in, "have your druggist call me to obtain the script.". Kyle loves to repeat it back to him ("so, i should have my druggist call you?") while I stifle my giggles. We may grow up one day. Maybe. One day. Just for a day.


3) Last week, I had muy fun shopping for things for the kids' Easter baskets at my new favorite toy store! Killian came along and found these awesome color-changing spherical tossing objects (I just can't say "balls"). A couple of my boys will be very happy when they see these on Easter morning.

4) What's your favorite Easter candy? Mine are (in correct eating order): yellow jelly beans, chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs, solid chocolate bunnies, and Cadbury creme eggs.

5) Holy Week is upon us! Since childhood, I have always loved Holy Week. The drama, the additional participation required of the laity, the incense, the sense of impending joy! Man, the Catholics know how to make a big deal out of a big deal! I LOVE IT!

6) For the second year in a row, we will be heading up to our lake house for Easter. Mass, baskets, and brunch in the morning, followed by our neighbors' enormous Easter egg hunt in the afternoon, completed by the most delicious prime rib dinner at the sweet restaurant across the lake. Pretty perfect.

7) Emergency! I am running out of shows on my Netflix queue! We've watched and rewatched Foyle's War, Arrested Development, Magnum P.I., Sherlock, Parks and Rec, and The Office. Any great (or, moderately good) shows out there? Leave your suggestions in the combox, por favor!

Now, go see Jen!

Theme Thursday: Mud

I cannot even begin to describe the day I've had, but suffice to say, it peaked with my very overtired 3 year old dumping a bowl of Cap'n Crunch on the floor because, "It's NOT Cap'n CRUNCH! It's Cap'n SOGGY!".

That was the best part of my day. Ruminate on that whilst you view my picture of frozen mud from my yard...

Then, check out the happier pictures of mud with Cari!

WIWS: St. Patrick's Day!

Meh, on my outfit. But, it was green so that's all that counts today!

Some of me little micks are pictured below (the 4 older micks chose not to be photographed. Borrrring.)

Will is wearing a kilt, sporran, and flashes that belonged to Eamon. (Sportkilt.com has kilts for babies, kids, ladies and gentlemen at pretty reasonable prices. They haven't asked me to say anything, just thought I'd share where we've bought our kilts!)

Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Erin Go Bragh!
Thanks to the lovely lassies at FLAP for hosting!

7 Quick Takes: Habemus Papam Style!

1) For the 2nd time in my adult life, I had the privilege of witnessing the announcement of a new Pontiff! (I was only 5 when JPI and JPII were elected, so the memory isn't as vivid)

2) I am always proud to be Roman Catholic, but the moment when our new Holy Father stepped out onto the balcony, my face felt like it would explode from pride and joy!

3) And, how about that moment? Francis came out and looked...well, he looked truly humbled and overwhelmed. I imagine the true weight of this new burden was fully dawning on him. I cannot even imagine what that must have felt like!

4) His face transformed into a beautiful, gentle smile and he reminded all of us that we must pray for our last Pope, BXVI. In all of the hoopla over FRANCIS, he points to someone else.

5) And, then, he asked for our prayers! He bowed before all of us as the Servant of the Servants of God and asked us to pray for him. More humility.

6) Of course, like the good Papa he is, he blesses all of us, promises to keep ALL of us in his prayers, and grants us a plenary indulgence! What a loving father!

7) My favorite is pictured below. Like a good son, he talks about his Mother -- our mother -- and visits her, paying her a beautiful compliment.

Go see Jen!

Theme Thursday: Green!

Linking up with Cari

No words.

Green stems of the yellow daffodils + Our Lady and Her Baby = joy

Biggest Feast Day of The Church is this Sunday! (don't bother correcting me,  mmmmkay?)

The wearin' o' the green!

WIWS: Is It Spring Yet?

Linking up with the beauties over at FLAP for another edition of What I Wore Sunday!

The hour shaved off of my beauty sleep last night is showing, I know.

The deets....

Blazer: St. John's Bay from JCPenney
Blouse: Target ($1.24 clearance a few years ago.)
T-shirt: Targét
Jeans: August Max from Marshall's
Shoes: Dansko from 6pm.com
Earrings: gift from my mother
Necklace: JCPenney


Made it through Mass, now going to take a nap before the dinner rush.

5 Dang Things!

The lovely and talented Dwija tagged me in this fun new blogging game all the kids are playing! (Do I sound sufficiently enthusiastic? I do? Good! Cuz I loves talking about MEEEEEE!)

As far as I can ascertain, this game involves sharing 5 little known facts about yourself. I have 2 problems here: a) I am open and honest to an annoying fault, and b) that only leaves me with little known facts that seem absolutely filthy when put in print.

So, this will take some thinking.....

1) When I was little, I had an imaginary friend named Jean. Jean existed for the sole purpose of being my scapegoat. Either my parents were extremely slow to catch on, or they were just grateful I had a playmate, because they believed every single story I told them about her.

2) I took ballet lessons for 7.5 years; from age 3 to age 10.5. I stopped because my the ballet school I attended wanted me to "be more committed" (translation: take daily lessons) and I overheard my father telling my mother that if I continued, I'd have HUGE "dancer's legs". Ain't nobody got time for that!Jessica likes that story.

3) Until the age of 18, I was extremely hyperactive. Had I been born 20 years later, I'm sure there would have been talk of Ritalin.

4) I am mean. I fight dirty. I have a true redhead's temper. Just ask my brothers, Peg Leg Pete and One-Eyed Bart.

5) It bothers me when people don't like me. Even if those people are morons. I loved to be loved! In truth, you have to really cross the line before I don't give a $hit what you think and then I go all #4 on yo' a$$.                                                                                                  
5-a) I cuss like a drunken sailor.

And, now for the really difficult part: choosing 5 people to tag! Everybody's already been tagged, so if I tag you and you've already done this....do it again! Come up with 5 more things!

My tag-ees:

Micaela, Katie, TracyE, Suzette, and Kyle!

7 Quick Takes: I Need A Vacation

1) This week has been filled with fun adventures in injury and illness! So! Much! Fun!

2) Part of QT 1 is a lie. I'll let you guess which part....

3) Not fun: last Friday, my oldest dislocated his right shoulder playing basketball. Then, dislocated it 2 more times. My husband took him to the ER, where they gave him an immobilizer and some pain medication, with directions to follow up with our doctor. Fast forward to yesterday and our appointment with the orthopedic surgeon who is 99% sure Killian needs surgery, but ordered an MRI to get that 100% they like to see before they slice you open. Spring Break isn't looking like too much fun. Unless, he shares the pain meds....

4) Will has a nasty cold, which morphed into an earache and conjunctivitis. Soooooo, instead of his 1 year Well Baby check, last night he had his 1 year Sick Baby check. The good news? Since December, he's gained FIVE pounds! Preemie no more!

5) My pre-K through 7th grade kids had a day off on Monday for Casimir Pulaski Day. I hate him. Learn more about him, if you like, but all I need to know is that he's a child's hero and a mother's worst enemy.

6) On Tuesday, all the dang kids were home for a snow day. I'm blaming Pulaski for that, too. Because, what's he gonna do about it? Institute Casimir Pulaski Day II?

7) Tonight is Elvis Night at our favorite local parish fish fry! They also have wine and beer! It's the nearest thing to a vacation that I'm going to see for a long time.

I believe Jen has a few more things to say....

Theme Thursday: Piles

Man, when I saw "piles" was this week's Theme Thursday topic, a few ideas came to mind.

Not one of them was appropriate to photograph or bring up in polite conversation.

What we do have in spades AND piles this week is SNOW!

S(n)o(w), that's what you're getting! (Sí, I went there)

As you may have noticed, I got our pop of red in there courtesy of my kids' inability to put away their outside toys.

One day, Cari is going to wake up and realize I am being a lazy, uninspired "photographer", and kick me out of this link-up.

WIWS!

Linking up with all the pretties at Fine Linen and Purple for another exciting post about my boring wardrobe and amateur photography skills!

Can I get a "What? What?"?!?!

Does this dress look similar in style to the dress I wore a couple weeks ago? You bet it does! Because when Targét has a sale on a dress for $7, then I buy one on every color in my size! SPOILER ALERT: I have 2 more of these fine gowns in other colors, so stay tuned!

Boots: same
Leggings: same
Sweater: Tahari (from Marshall's)
Bracelet: I won it at a school auction last night!
Necklace: Mother's Day gift from Kyle a few years ago
Earrings: my mama
Haircut and color that no one noticed last night: My fave hairdresser, Dawn
Bags under my eyes: also from auction last night.

7 Quick Takes: When March Comes In Like A Lion

1) Even though we probably still have another 2 months of winter weather ahead of us here in the Midwest, when the calendar says "March", I breathe an audible sigh of relief.

2) Pretty excited to be going to the hair salon tomorrow! It's been 18 months since I colored my hair, and while it's been exciting to see what my real hair color looked like after 14 years of dyes and highlights, the silver strands have increased considerably. My favorite hair stylist and I are going to make the decision together. Or, she will just tell me for the umpteenth time that I can never go platinum. Whatever.

3) I shopped at the coolest toy store yesterday! It's the kind of place that makes you wish you were 8 years old again. While I was waiting for them to finish wrapping up Will's birthday gifts (for freeeeeee!), I wandered into their craft section and found felting wool for wet felting. Thanks to Amanda, I now know what it is and I want to buy all the colors!!!

4) Anybody care to share the Spring and Summer fashion trends? Throw in a few polyvore links?

5) Easter is coming!!! I'm planning out the girls' Easter outfits and working on finding coordinating clothes for the boys. Gone are the days when they would let me dress them in matchy-matchy get-ups. But, that's not gonna stop me and The Mister from arriving at Easter Morning Mass in matching ensembles!

6) Getting verrrry-close-too-close to a certain someone making a final college choice. Well, the money will make the FINAL decision, but...geesh! I'm still in shock that I have kids in high school! This cannot be happening. But. It. Is.

7) Gearing up for ANOTHER long weekend with my youngest five. I'm pretty sure their school hates me and wants me to die.

Hop like a bunny over to Jen's!