Taking Stock

Because every blog should start out with some amazing pictures.............

Wishing I was here at Half Moon Resort Montego Bay, Jamaica.  Best vacation ever with my Mom.

I want to get married here.  Any takers?  He-He!

I read Kate's post from a Small Things Blog and thought I would join in on the fun.  Let you know a little about my life today, in the heat of the moment.  

Making :  This week I made these cheddar bacon ranch pinwheels for my lunch.  I love when I cook ahead and don't have to think about what is for lunch.  I hate lunch.
Cooking :  Last night I made homemade chicken pot pie.  Lots of leftovers!
Drinking :  La Croix passionfruit sparkling water.  My Mom is addicted to La Croix and shared some with me.
Reading:  Most Talkative by Andy Cohen
Wanting:  A nap.  I love to sleep.  That is why this blog has a double meaning!  Naptown=Indianapolis Napping=my favorite hobby
Looking:  At the skyline of Indy. 
Playing:  My radio.  Country Hank FM 97.1 in Indy.
Wasting:  Time.  Aren't we always?
Sewing:  hahahaha.  If only I knew how to.  I can sew a button on and fix a hole in clothes.  That is about it.
Wishing:  I was laying on a beach somewhere or floating in the pool.
Enjoying:  A pretty quiet day.  
Waiting:  On Lee to finish Fault in Our Stars.
Liking:  The veggie chips I had with lunch.  I'm obsessed.  You need to try. 
Wondering:  Do I need a haircut?  Should I keep it long or cut short?  Should I color it?
Loving:  How much fun I had with my nieces this past weekend.
Hoping:  To have a nice 4th of July. 
Marveling:  That I think I brought my bamboo plant back from the dead.  I have such a black thumb.  I think I saved it!
Needing:  To get groceries.  I HATE grocery shopping.
Smelling:  Nothing really.  A little bit of my Philosophy Amazing Grace lotion.
Wearing:  Comfy clothes. 
Following:  Some new bloggers.  Trying to network more.
Noticing:  The 4th of July is next week!
Knowing:  I've got to go to the grocery store.  BLAH!
Thinking:  Where am I going in my life? 
Feeling:  Content and mellow.
Opening:  Emails.
Giggling:  At the new movie Tammy with Melissa McCarthy.  It looks so dumb but so very funny.  Hoping to see it next weekend.

(I wrote this post Friday but I'm posting on Monday.)

High Five for Friday

I'm linking up with The Lauren Elizabeth for High Five for Friday.


1.  Indy got hit on Tuesday with a really bad storm.  We were under a tornado warning for a couple of hours.  A tornado hit on the west side of Indy causing some minor damage.  Thankfully no one was injured.  We didn't see anything downtown.  It all moved north of us.  We did take cover though!

The storm out the back door of work.

 2.  This past weekend I went home to Ohio for K#2 baptism.  It was held at the church I grew up in First Presbyterian Church of Norwalk.  My Mom is an elder of the church so she assisted in the baptism.  (No folks she didn't cry!!)  K#2 slept through the whole thing.  She is so good!

Mom, Pastor Adrian, Stacey, K#2, Andy, and K#1

Gammy trying so hard not to cry.  She made it!

Stacey, K#1, K#2, Andy

The Carr family!  Andy, Stacey, K#1, Mom.  Dad, Me, and K#2

Aunt Meggie thought she needed a selfie with the lady of the hour

Baby K selfie

 3.  After church we had a little get together.  

Gammy and Katie.  I'm DYING over the cuteness.

Another selfie.  I think Gammy was jealous behind us.

 (Just a side note.  Swimmer diapers only hold solids in.  Not liquids.  Let's just say Aunt Meggie got a little wet.  But I didn't care because I love that face so much.  She can do no wrong!!!!)

K#1 swimming and swimming.  I wish I had my suit with me.

My favorite part.  CAKE CAKE CAKE!

 4.  Monday I got to keep K#2 almost all day.  (K#1 went to Bible School with Gammy.)  We had a really nice day.  She is such a good baby.  Let me shower and eat my lunch.  Mom says she is a lot like Andy when he was a baby.  Just kind of calm and chill.  (Opposite of me!)

Gimme that phone!

Time to eat some prunes

Playing.  She is soooooo good!

5.  For those of you that don't know much about blogging, most sites keep track of how many views you get on your page, where people are located, what website refers them to your site, etc.  Well I was checking out my stats and I guess someone searched, 'i dont need a man my cat loves me.'  And that took them to my blog.  I don't even know what to say.  Really?!  I'm pretty sure I have never written that.  I love my cats but I'm not that craycray.  I'm going to go hide under the covers now.  I may never come out again.

Thanks for reading!

Love,
Your Favorite Crazy Cat Lady


 

Julep Nail Polish

It is no secret that I am totally addicted to nail polish.  And this just didn't happen.  I've been addicted since I was young.  I took over my Mom's nail polish box when I was a young teen.  And she never got it back!  (She has to hide her nail polish from me even now.  But never fear!  I know where it is!!)  If you want to cheer me up or do something nice for me, just buy me some nail polish.  I'll be happy as a clam.

I came across Julep Nail Polish on Pinterest.  Julep has this monthly program you can sign up for called Maven.  Each month you receive a box of beauty products, mostly nail polish.  (The best part is your first box is free when you use the code FREEBOX.)  I decided to give it a try.  I was extremely impressed with how long the nail polish stayed on.

Signing up for Maven Julep is very easy.  Based on your preferences, they will create a style profile for you. You are able to view your box each month before it is sent out.  If you don't like your style profile choices, you can choose one of the other profiles (Boho Glam, Bombshell, Classic with a Twist, It Girl, Modern Beauty.)  I'm Classic with a Twist.

My Maven Style Profile

Classic with a Twist

You’re an iconic beauty with a timeless aesthetic. 

Your box includes:

Two limited-edition nail colors
One full-size beauty product

June's box.  Profile: Classic Twist.  Bergen, Oxygen Base Coat, Ariana

Bergen, Oxygen Base Coat, Ariana

Bergen, Oxygen Base Coat, Ariana

First day of manicure.  I love the sparkles in Ariana and Bergen is kind of bluish/gray.

Day 4 of manicure.  Julep lasts forever!  I'm very impressed.

Julep is available at Nordstrom, Sephora, and Julep's website.

This is NOT a sponsored post.  I just really like Julep Nail Polish and wanted to share it with you.

Blogs I read

One of the things that inspired me to write a blog (read about it HERE) are the other blogs I read.  For over 2 years now I have faithfully read the following blogs everyday.  As crazy as it sounds they become your unofficial online friend.  You follow them on social media and know all about their lives.  A friend asked me who is this Living in Yellow you always talk about?  Why do you link up with the High Five for Friday #H54F each week?  I thought to better understand where I am coming from and what I am trying to create with my blog, you need to learn about the bloggers in my life.

Kate @ The Small Things Blog

The Small Things Blog is the first blog I started reading regularly.  You know that addictive site Pinterest?  Well I came across one of Kate's hair tutorials and immediately started digging into her blog.  Kate is a former hairstylist turned stay at home Mom.  Her blog has a huge following as she became very popular from Pinterest.  I have to admit a lot of the products she recommends I do try.  She got me hooked on Essie nail polish.  She is also an avid Target shopper and a cat lady.  Kate lives in Raleigh.

Lauren @ The Lauren Elizabeth

Lauren is Kate's sister so it was just natural I start reading her blog, too.  She started the link up High Five for Friday that I participate in every week.  I like Lauren because we are a lot alike.  Crazy cat ladies, homebodies, adore our nieces and nephews, Target shoppers, and watch some of the same TV shows.  She does a lot of beauty posts as well and I love some of the products she has recommended.  (Including a few cat toys.)  Lauren lives in Chicago.

Erin @ Living in Yellow

Erin hails from northern Indiana so we are practically neighbors!  I can't remember exactly how I came across her blog but I'm so glad I did.  When I read Erin's blog I feel like she is talking to me in person.  Her style of writing is hilarous and she let's it all hang out.  Her blog has become so successful that she has been able to turn her 9-5 job into a part time job and dedicate the rest of her day to her blog.  Erin is a social butterfly and likes to spend her weekends on her boat.

Lindsay @ Pursuit of Pink

I found Pursuit of Pink from Living in Yellow.  I'll be honest.  It was the color pink that took me there.  I didn't know there was anyone else out there that loved it as much as me!  Lindsay is an adorable southern belle who is in the process of moving with her family from D.C.  She has the cutest ginger baby who is turning 1 very soon!  Baby K is the most stylish 1 year old I know.

Lisa Leonard @ Lisa Leonard

Kate (from Small Things Blog) was hosting a giveaway from Lisa Leonard Designs and that is how I started reading her blog.  Lisa is from California and runs her own jewelry business.  They sell really unique pieces.  Lisa has 2 adorable boys and I love her even more because she has curly hair like me!  Lisa has a heart of gold and seems so down to earth.

Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy

I came across the Pleated Poppy blog from Lisa Leonard.  Lindsey is also from sunny California.  She does a lot of craft projects and is always rearranging/redecorating her super cool house.  Lindsey use to have an online store of items she made but recently gave it up to focus more on her 3 kids.  

Ree Drummond @ The Pioneer Woman  

You know how much I love PW?  Well read all about it in my first blog post ever.  She is kind of amazing.  Before she got her own show on the Food Network, she was a fellow blogger.  What I love most about her blog is her sense of humor.  And you get the behind the scene stories.  I want PW and Marlboro Man to adopt me so I can go live on their ranch in Oklahoma. 

Melissa @ Bless this Mess Please

Melissa is a friend of a friend.  A former Hoosier she currently lives in Utah with her husband and 4 young children.  They have a booming hobby farm and in the process of opening a hardware store in their teeny, tiny town.  Melissa is a fabulous cook and shares lots of recipes.


New blogs I just started reading:
Venus Trapped in Mars
The Grits Blog
Helene in Between
Baby Boy Bakery 

**all photos taken from respective blogs.  all the photo credit goes to above mentioned bloggers**

High Five for Friday

I'm linking up with The Lauren Elizabeth for High Five for Friday.

1.  Let me start with a low five first.  If you follow me on social media, you know I was in the ER on Monday.  I had been awake since 2:30am with some of the most intense burning stomach pain of my life.  (I mean this pain was worse than my bad back!)  I had an episode like this a couple weeks ago but it went away.  This pain was not leaving and I was extremely sick to my stomach.  I couldn't lay down and was burping up stomach acid.  I couldn't get comfortable and just paced back and forth in my apartment.  I will leave out the rest of the details.  To make a long story short, I was afraid my gallbladder was acting up or my appendix was bursting!  (Don't try to diagnose yourself via the internet at 3am.  You will convince yourself you have everything.)  The ER ran a bunch of tests and noticed my white blood cell count was high.  They determined I needed an ultrasound done just to make sure everything was okay.  Turns out my insides are fine.  I have gastritis.  They gave me some medicine and an IV since I was dehydrated.  I felt better almost instantly.  Now I need to have a scope done of my GI system to see what is going on.  I'm doing much better, thanks to the new antacid medicine I am on.  Still kind of tired and sore.  It is times like this I wish I lived closer to my parents.  Mom/Dad when are you moving to Indy?

One of my nurses.  She fell asleep on the job.

2.  FaceTime is the best.  Mom and Dad got to keep K#2 for a couple of days while her family went to Disney World.  (She's just a little bit too young for all that yet.)  I spent almost an hour Sunday/Monday just watching K#2 eating, playing, and cuddling with her Gammy.  I think she saw me on the iPad because she was laughing at me when I made faces at her.  Get ready for the photo overload!

Hi Aunt Meggie!

Playing with her toys with Grampy

Hey girl hey!

 

MEGGIE!  You are sooo funny!!!

3.  Wednesday I had my apartment professionally cleaned.  And I didn't have to pay a penny for it!  When I resigned my lease I had a couple 'gift' options.  Carpet cleaning, new thermostat, new blinds, or apartment cleaning.  It was so nice to come home to a clean apartment.  I wish they could come every week.

4.  This is an exciting weekend for our family.  K#2 is getting baptized at our church.  I will be heading home to Ohio.  I'm looking forward to some family time and to the festivities on Sunday.  If you didn't know my Grandfather was a Presbyterian minister.  He got to baptize all 4 of his grandchildren.  It is something that is very special to me.

5.  How cute are my parents?!  I just love these pictures.

Grampy on Father's Day.  Their outfits kind of match, too!

K#2 and her Gammy

Happy Father's Day!!

Dad grew up in a very, very, very small town in southern Indiana called New Harmony.  He only had a little over 20 people in his high school class.  As you can imagine, growing up in a small town he got into a little mischief along the way.  I would love to share some of the stories but he would get so mad at me!  My poor Grandma.  She had her hands full with him!

Aunt Nancy and Dad at his 50 year high school reunion in 2011.

Dad graduated from University of Evansville with a degree in history.  He had every intention of going to law school.  But he joined the army and served his country instead.  He began a career in banking not long after he returned.  That is where he stayed for over 40 years.  He basically started at the bottom and worked his way right up.  He had a very successful career and something to be proud of.

Dad's retirement party 2009

Dad served in Vietnam.  He doesn't like to talk about it.  We as a country were not very supportive of the war back then.  It breaks my heart thinking about what he had to go through.  I wish I could take the hurt away that he feels over it.  I am so very proud of him for serving his country.    It forever changed who he is.  It is just one of the many reasons I love my Dad.

Staff Sergeant

Dad has always been very athletic.  He always excelled at sports.  Basketball, baseball, golf, biking.  (I'm sure I am forgetting something.)  He even was asked to try out for the minors in baseball.

Dad at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

The smartest thing Dad ever did in his life was marry my Mom.  They have been married for 43 years.  My poor Mom.  If she only knew what she was getting into with him!

Mom and Dad in Spain in the 70's.

I love him beyond words.  He gave our family the most amazing life.  We never wanted for anything and we always had the best of everything.  He worked very hard supporting us.  There were definitely some low times along the way but my Dad just kept his head up and powered through.  Family is very important to him.

On a train ride in Colorado.  (Early 1990's)

I love my relationship with my Dad now.  We talk almost everyday.  I am mad at him 98% of the time.  We are a lot alike.  That is why we fuss and fight (although we are better at this now that we are BOTH medicated he-he!).  But no matter what I do, he loves me unconditionally.  That is a fact.

Christmas 2011

His newest role is Grandpa.  His graddaughters can do no wrong in his eyes.  Kylie adores him and I love it when she makes him laugh.  She is always worrying about Grandpa and what is Grandpa doing in the garage.  (When we figure it out, we will let her know.)

Holding K#2.  Christmas 2013

Getting a check up from Doc McStuffins....aka K#1

Retirement seems to suit my Dad.  Now he spends his days on the golf course, doing lots of yard work, and taking care of the dogs.  During the winter he watches westerns and goes to the gym a lot.  For his age he is in pretty good shape.  Now if we could just get him to cook dinner every night.

Dad and Annie.  For some reason she loves grumpy, old men.  They kind of look alike, too!

If you are ever in Norwalk, be sure to stop by my Dad's garage for a martini and cigar.  You can talk golf, CNN, dogs, westerns (especially Gunsmoke), and yard work.  Just keep your hands off his tools.

Dad hanging out in his domain.  The garage.