5 things I have been up to....

I majorly fail as a blogger!!!  Two and a half months since my last post.  I guess I just lost my desire to write this year in general.  Which is strange because I have good ideas all the time.  I am going to try and get better.  I have had several people tell me they enjoy reading my blog and you would think that would motivate me!  Here are some things I have been up to:

1.  My family is doing just fine.  I think it is safe for me to officially say, I am going to be an Aunt again!!!!!!  #3 is on the way and due in March.  As you know I have 2 nieces who I absolutely adore.  K#1 started Kindergarten this fall.  She seems to be adjusting.  Word on the street is she hates homework and is a perfectionist.  K#2 will be 2 in November.  She is just the cutest little thing.  Tries to keep up with her big sister.  They are both going to make great big sisters.  Mom and I are hoping for a boy but of course a girl would be just fine!  My brother is already outnumbered!

Kindergarten girl!!!

And because he doesn't read my blog, I can brag on my Dad.  He got a hole in one on the golf course this summer.  Only took 40+ years.  He thinks he is cool.  Whatever.

At Grandpa's birthday dinner

Andy and Stacey

Gammy and her girls

2.  Over Labor Weekend, Mom and I took the girls to African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio.  I can't believe I had never heard of it before or realized it was so close to home.  It was really cool!  We got to drive around and feed animals.  They would come right up to your car and sometimes stick there heads in.  My favorite part was hearing my Mom squeal.  K#1 really got into it.  K#2 slept through it half way (it was her nap time.)  After your tour you could walk around a mini zoo area.  We saw pigs race and K#1 even got to ride a camel.  It was just really a neat place.  Here are some of the highlights.

The girls

Me and K#1

If this picture had sound, you would hear my Mom squealing.

Me feeding a bull

Me feeding the llama

Feeding llamas

Baby K holding the food cup.

Checking out the rabbits.

Baby K.  Looking tired.  This was right before she fell out of the stroller.  I forgot to strap her in.  #auntfail  Don't worry she was just fine.

K#1 on a camel.  This was also the time I decided I was going to buy a new iPhone.  My phone totally wouldn't bring up the camera quick enough for me to snap a pic.  I had to take this off the video I did.  But she still looks adorable.

3.  Here are just some random things.

Went to the Covered Bridge Festival last weekend in Mansfield, IN.

My festival purchase.  These are so in right now.

Tried out a restaurant in Broad Ripple called Public Green.  They sit right on the Monon Trail and change their menu weekly.  It was really yummy.

4.  In September I did have minor surgery.  I'm not sick or in terrible pain.  It was really was a non-event to me since I felt fine.  I won't get into the nitty gritty of it but I had to have a D & C done.  (If you don't know what that is, google it.)  This isn't my first one so I knew what to expect.  I have been having lots of issues in the 'lady department' and it was just time to straighten things out.  I have had problems for years now and I will probably until I hit............gasp.........menopause.  I will just say this.  Being a woman isn't always fun.  As women we don't talk about our health issues enough.  It surprises me every time I tell other women my issues, they all have a story, too.  My biggest advice to others is you have to FIGHT to get the best possible care you can.  No one is going to do it for you.

5.  I got the new iPhone 6s in rose gold!  I'm embarrassed to admit this but I was upgrading from an iPhone 4.  I had no idea how slooooooowwwww and out of date my 4 really was.  Wow!  My upgrade was 2 years over due.  I never really had $500 extra laying around to buy a new phone.  Now my cell phone provider offers a payment plan.  Which is right up my alley.  Hopefully now my pictures will be better on here!

That is my life lately in a nutshell.  Loving this fall weather!  It can stay in the 60s until next April.  That would be just fine with me!  Have a great weekend!

Linking up today with:

Happy One Year Blog Anniversary to Me

Because all good blogs start with a kitty picture or two.  Callie aka Baby Kitty.  Falling asleep in my lap.

Sabrina.  Queen of the castle.  I'm her peasant.  Just her supplier of treats, food, litter, water, treats, toys, pets, and more treats.

 Testing...one....two......testing....

Hey!  I guess this ole thing still works!  Man I haven't posted in forever.  I'm sure you have just been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting, too.  Ha-ha!  Well I just paid to renew the blog today, so I figured I better start using it again!!!

So what exactly have I been up to?  Sitting on the beach in Jamaica for the past 6 months.  Drinking fruity drinks while being fanned by some cabana boys.  (Ha-Ha, I wish!)  Actually I've just been doing the normal living human things.  Feeling very unmotivated to write any blog posts.  I promised myself when I started this blog, I wouldn't write if I didn't feel motivated.  I guess I got into that old winter slump, too.

One thing I struggle with writing, is sometimes I just don't want to put it all out there.  Believe it or not I can be kind of a private person.  (Hard to believe with my big mouth.  I actually can be a shy person when you first get to know me.)  As I've gotten older, I've been super careful of what I post on social media.  Because when you put it out there on the internet, you can never take it back again.  I worry that someday, something I write will come back and bite me in the bum.  Life is about taking chances though.  And I feel like I have something to say.

Writing a blog makes it really easy for you to get to know me and what I am doing in my life.  You can read my stories. You get to see pictures of my life. You can see all these things on social media if I am not writing about it on here.  But what bothers me is I don't get to see your life, your struggles, your heartache, your joy, etc.  Is this making any sense?  I guess I just went through a phase where I didn't feel like it was fair that you could read all about my life and I knew nothing about yours.  It just didn't seem fair.

My biggest supporters of this blog were not my immediate family.  (Or so I thought!)  My Dad has only read this blog a couple of times.  He is a man who loves to write and I thought he would be one of my biggest fans.  But that is okay.  I talk to him everyday and he lives this life with me.  (Even from 4 hours away.)  Just like my close family and friends.  They are there with me during these experiences and they might not want to read about them.  My 2 biggest fans are my Aunt Sally and sister-in-law Stacey.  I'm pretty sure they read every post and talk to me about them, too.  That means a lot.  (I also have some distance family, friends, co-workers who are also great supporters!  I appreciate every reader!!!)  It is always fun when a friend I don't talk to on a regular basis, mentions a blog post.  And yes Mom I know you read this, too.  It isn't as exciting for you because you know all my stories ;-)

It has been one year since I started this blog.  Total I have had over 14,318 hits on my blog.  In the month of April, I didn't write one post, but had 683 views.  From all over the world, too.  Kind of exciting.  So I am going to keep writing this blog.  Maybe I will become famous someday.  (Tee-hee!)  Maybe I will make a supplemental income off this blog.  But regardless, I am going to keep telling my stories and sharing my 384,402 pictures of my nieces.  I hope you will keep reading because I have a lot to say. 

There are those nieces.  I promise Baby K was happy.  She just didn't want to stop playing long enough for a quick picture.  17 month olds.  Geez!

9 Signs I'm Smarter Than The Average Person

Sometimes the weirdest things will inspire a blog post.  For me it was this latest MSN article.  9 science-backed signs you're smarter than average person.  I had to see how smart I was.

1.  You don't smoke.  Nope I sure don't.
2.  You took music lessons.  Yes and yes.  I took piano lessons growing up.  I really did enjoy it but I never practiced.  Although I really wish I still had my piano.  I think I would take it up again.  I also played the violin.  Funny story on how that came to be.  (Especially since I always wanted to play the flute.)  I had a terrible 6th grade teacher.  In order to get out of class, I signed up to play the violin.  I played from 6th grade until my freshman year of college.  I've thought about selling my violin but I just can't bare to part with it.
3.  You're the oldest child.  Yes and the only child.  Whoops I mean I have a younger brother.  He doesn't know that I exist though.

This kid keeps showing up for family events.  I have no idea who he is.

4.  You're thin.  HAHAHA I will leave that one alone.  But I am in the picture above!
5.  You have a cat.  Yes and I am an overachiever on this one.  I have 2 cats.  Finally being a crazy cat lady is paying off!  They make me smarter.

Sabrina

Callie

6.  You were breast-fed.  God bless my Mother.  Yes I was.  Although honestly I think it is all about the time you spend with your child.
7.  You drink alcohol.  I don't mind the occasional glass of wine.

Nice glass of Moscato.  Which promptly put me right to sleep on New Years.

8.  You're left handed.  I lose at this one.  Although I can write with my left hand pretty well.  I'm not ambidextrous but I'm pretty close.
9.  You're tall.  Heck yes I am!  5'10"!!!!!!  My Grandfather was 6'4" and my Dad is 6'.  Did you know, that when I hug my Mom, she fits right under my chin.  Isn't that cute?!  My brother and I are exactly the same height.  (Again who?)

So I got 7 out of 9.  How about you?

Original article can be found here.

So....where have you been?

I have written, and re-written this blog post several times in my head.  I even started writing it on here and then deleted it.  I over think things WAY too much.  So let me just get down to business.

Blog posts are going to be a little thin over the next couple of months.  When I started this blog, I really wanted it to grow.  And it has done very well.  I really enjoy writing and it is a release for me.  For the next several months though, I won't be writing as much as I would like.  But after the first of the year, GAME ON!  I will be coming back at you full force.

So I'm being pretty vague, eh?  I promise you my life is not that exciting.  I am taking a class this semester and it pretty much eats up all my free time.  But I'm cool with that.  I've also had some health issues (nothing too major).  For right now everything is good on that front (*knock on wood).  But my body is fighting back and I need to listen to it.

When I am not studying and worrying about myself...............I like to focus all my attention on my family.  Especially my nieces.  My heart overflows with so much love for them.  Here are some pictures of when they came to Indy a couple of weeks ago to visit little ole me.  We went to the Indianapolis Zoo.

Photo courtesy of Stacey.  Me and my girls.  The waitress asked if K#2 was my daughter.  That she looked exactly like me.  My day was made!

This double stroller is AH-MAZING!  Stacey just whips it in and out.  It has all these cool places to store things.  Plenty of cup holders.  The kids can lay down or sit up.  Pull a shade over them.  I mean it does everything but change a diaper.  And people get out of your way when you have a stroller!

A flamingo.  Their legs look just like sticks.  They look so breakable!

When you have your best dress on, you have to run through the splash pad.  (It was a super hot day!)  Aunt Meggie may have ran through a little bit, too.

I really like the Zebra.  Their stripes are so perfect!

All K#1 wanted to see were the elephants.  After we saw them she then announced we could leave.  We had only been there about 30 mins.  Silly girl!

Giraffes

Dippin Dots!  She may have eaten mine, too :-)

Poor Baby K.  She was tired.  She had a little stomach bug all weekend.  But you would never know it.  She is the happiest little thing ever.

Aunt Sally came to the Zoo, too!  It was her first time meeting Baby K.  K#2 went straight for her jewelry.

In the dolphin splash zone, waiting for the show to start.  I was not upset I had to sit there.  Secretly I loved it.  K#1 was mad we only got splashed once.  He-he!

A big THANK YOU to my SIL, Stacey.  She drove everyone to Indy and back.  (I'm sure she had lots of fun with her chatty Mother in law and daughter.....hehe.)  Not only that but traveling with 2 young girls is not easy.  It takes a lot and it was no vacation for her.  She is just an amazing mother!  Stacey, thank you so much!!!!  I love you!!!

A big birthday wish to 3 members of my family.  (Their birthdays are almost all within the same week.) 

Stacey:  Sept. 24

Dad:  Sept. 26

Mom:  Oct. 5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 


Thanks for reading and I will pop in here when I can.  Be sure to follow me on social media, especially Instagram and Twitter.  Thanks and have a great week!

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30 things I've learned in my 30s

I'm not ashamed to admit it!  I'm 34 and holding.  GASP!  When did I get so old?  I thought it would be fun to share 30 things that I have learned so far in my 30s...............

I will be celebrating my 5th anniversary of my 29th birthday in December.

30 Things I've Learned in my 30's

1.  I'm stronger than I think I am.
2.  A good day is never getting out of my pajamas.
3.  Family is everything.
4.  My parents were/are always right.  Whether I'm 5, 10, 16, 21, 25, 34 they are always right.
5.  I use to have a mind like an elephant.  Now I can't remember what floor I parked my car on.
6.  I didn't know what I was talking about in my 20's.
7.  I am much wiser in my 30's.
8.  My idea of a fun Friday/Saturday night is ordering in and watching TV.
9.  Going out means running errands and doing other adult things.  Ain't nobody have time or money for the bars.  (I never went much anyway.)
10.  I see my mother in the mirror when I look at my reflection.  I also hear her when I speak. 
11.  It just doesn't matter what others think.  It matters what I think.
12.  I ache/hurt in places I never knew existed.
13.  I love children.  I really do.  Love my nieces.  But I don't think I want my own.  I'm too selfish and I love my sleep.  Parents are saints.
14.  Friends come and go but family is forever.
15.  No wearing pajamas in public anymore.  I might have gotten away with it in college, but not now.
16.  The dishes/laundry/cleaning are never done.
17.  Teenagers/young adults look like they are 12.  I certainly never looked that young!

18. We are all in this rat race together.
19.  Stuff is just stuff.  It doesn't matter who makes it or where I buy it.  I want a bargain!
20.  I actually want to read or listen to the news.
21.  I never have worried more about money in my life.
22.  Did I mention family is everything?
23.  My parents really did know what they were talking about back in the day.  (Worth saying twice.)
24.  I don't get carded anymore.  I officially look old enough to purchase adult drinks.

25.  Life is unfair and cruel.  Mistakes happen.  But admitting you were wrong and learning from your mistakes......that is what shapes you.
26.  Sometimes I just really miss my grandparents.
27.  Time to plan for the future.
28.  Having the talk with your parents about what to do when they die.  And then crying hysterically because there is NO way they are that old yet.
29.  Be kind.  Be nice.  To everyone.  Because you never know what the other person is going through.
30.  Realizing 40 is just around the corner.  AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Curly Hair Don't Care

I have curly hair.  I know what you are thinking.  Oh you are so lucky!  Do you know what I would give to be able to just wake up in the morning, dry my hair, and it would be perfectly straight, ready to go?!  How easy you straight hair gals have it!!!  (I'm totally kidding but I am jealous.)

When I was 30, I finally decided to lose the battle of trying to make myself have straight hair.  (My expensive Chi straightener is just collecting dust in my closet now.)  I gave into the curl and well the rest is history.  (I also discovered eyeliner around this time, too.  Game changer but that is for another day.)  Here is a little trip down hair memory lane for me.  If you make it through these, I will tell you how I tame this crazy mop of frizz.

1980.  Baby Megan

1986.  Andy and I had the same haircut for several years.  Obviously he wore it best.

1990.  Perm hair don't care.  I use to just get my bangs permed.  OMG!

1995.  You can see the natural wave starting to take over my hair in the front.  I couldn't leave the house until my bangs were perrrrrrfect.  I'm not kidding.  Just ask my Mom how I would carry on.

1997.  Now this was a good hair day.  Minus my short, short bangs...............

2005.  I got my hair braided in Jamaica.  I told the lady I just wanted the top done but she insisted on doing my whole head.  It lasted a week and a half.

2007.  This was after I cut 4 inches off.  I'm feeling the need to do that again.

2010.  In Gulf Shores on the beach.  My hair gets really, really curly on the beach.  I don't even need any product!

Remember the Friends episode where they were in Barbados and Monica's hair went crazy.  That is me!

Monica and I could be twins!  Great minds think alike!

2010.  After straightening it for over 45 minutes.  It lasted maybe an hour before the wavy hair started.

2010.  Holding Baby K#1.  It was a rainy day out and as you can tell the wave started in the front.  I give up!

2013.  Holding Baby K#2.  Finally I just learned to wear it curly.

Yup that is about how I look when I wake up.

I wanted to share with you how I do my hair.  My routine is pretty simple.  I've finally mastered the how to keep my hair looking good all day.  (If you have super straight hair I'm not sure this routine will work.  You need to have that natural wave.)

I have used this combo for some time now and it really works for me.  Mousse is better than gel.  Otherwise your hair become really hard and crunchy.

I wash my hair everyday.  I know that isn't the best for it but it just makes me feel cleaner and my hair gets kind of greasy on the top.  After showering, I brush my hair out and make a part.  I let it dry a little in the towel while I'm getting ready.  I start to 'scrunch' up my hair with a dry washcloth.  (I know that sounds weird but it really works!)  First I put in Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Leave-In Conditioning Creme (about the size of a nickel).  I mainly put it on the bottom half of my hair, scrunching as I go.  This helps cut down on the frizz.  Next I use some Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse.  I use a good handful of this throughout my hair continuing to scrunch.

 After applying product, I continue to 'scrunch' it up with the washcloth.  I spray some hairspray in it and start the drying process with the diffuser.  With the hair dryer on low air setting and high heat, I begin to diffuse.  I don't diffuse it too long as my hair dries pretty fast.  The diffuser adds some volume and set the curl into place.

My diffuser is probably 10 or more years old.  It is cracked from putting it on different hair dryers but it still works.  I've looked for a new one but I just can't find one I like.

After drying I finish with some more hairspray.  I always use an extra hold/maximum strength hairspray.  I scrunch it up one last time after applying the hairspray.  Right now I am using a TRESemme hairspray.  I don't like the spray cap very much on it.  It gets all over my fingers.  I typically buy Herbal Essences hair spray because it works great and smells even better.  But when I went to buy it last time, Target didn't have any.  I won't make that mistake again!

I typically pull back what would be my 'bangs' in a twist or a braid of some sort.  I can't stand to have hair hanging down in my face.  I secure it with a bobby pin.  Do you know the proper way to use a bobby pin so it doesn't stand up on your head?  Put it in short side down, long side up.  You can go in at any angle and I am telling you it will not move all day!

The nice thing about curly hair is if you need a quick fix, all you need is water.  If it is looking a little dull and needs a refresher, I just wet my hands with some water, and scrunch it up.  Gives it a little refresh.

Are you a curly hair girl?  I would love to hear your beauty routine!

Check out my other beauty tip here on coconut oil.