Hey Girl Hey

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Oh hey!  This thing still works.  So let me catch you up to speed on my exciting life.  If you forgot why I am a little absent from the blog, well I forgot too.  Darn thing is as I get older, the worse my short term memory is.  If you ask me to do something, I have to do it immediately.  Because I am likely to get distracted by a bright, shiny object.

Get to the point, Megan.  (You also start to talk to yourself as you get older.)  So I am taking a class this fall and have about a month left.  I won't get into all the boring details but that is how I spend a lot of my free time.  It comes first.  (You are being boring Megan.)  But like I mentioned in this post, when it is over..........the blog is going full force.  I've really missed having this creative outlet.


Here are the top 5 things I have been up to.

1.  I've been traveling home to see the family about once a month in Ohio.  (About a 4-4.5 hour drive.)  I. LOVE. MY. NIECES!  Like it is crazy how much I adore them.  Mom and I got to take them trick or treating.  Who knew it was so much fun?!  I dressed up as a witch.  K#1 thought it was the funniest thing that I drew a 'wart' on my face.  K#1 was a pirate fairy (last minute change from Elsa).  K#2 was Olaf the snowman.  She was just the cutest thing ever!  I think everyone we passed on the sidewalk told me how cute she was.  (Thank you I know.)

The best photo with the girls.  Baby K was very interested in my hat.

My love muffins

I just kept saying Olaf, Olaf, Olaf, Olaf really fast to get her attention.  I guess it was funny.

'Meggie let's go already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'  Mom and I thought we were never going to get out the door.  Can you spot the photobomber?

Baby K's favorite part was holding the candy.  She was happy as a clam.  She also looks cold.  I promise we had her all bundled up.

Gammy and the girls at the Halloween party at their daycare.

2.   Here are a few more photos of my adorable nieces.  I can't stop.

Katie at the apple orchard.  I'm telling you she is ALWAYS happy!

Big sister cooking eggies with Gammy.  The girl LOVES her eggs.  Will eat them off your plate, too.

Our little fashionista

4 going on 14 here

3.  My family has a lot of cracks in it.  Sports related that is.  Grew up in an Indiana University lovers house.  Then I went to the enemy school......Purdue.  (Boiler up!!!)  And then my brother happened.  Still trying to figure out where we went wrong with him.  So my Mom put an IU bib on Baby K one day and something happened.  It wasn't pretty.

Photo from Gammy, "I'm off to Bloomington for my college visit."  

 Then this texting war began between Mom, me, Andy, and Stacey.  Grey-Andy (the smart ass comments) and Mom.  I'm in the blue.

WOW!  It is hard for my brother.  Being that he didn't go to a Big 10 school.  I feel sorry for him.  And I'm going to dis-own him the next time he puts down his birth state!  He is so EMBARRASSING!  He likes Ohio State.  GASP!!!!   (Yeah I left out 'the' in Ohio State.  I'm a rebel.  Take that!)

There is the Hoosier baby boy on the left.  1983.  And Baby K on the right.  Twins?  You tell me.  Poor thing got the big forehead, too.

In all my silliness here, I must say I love my family.  To the moon and back and then back again.  Life just doesn't get any better than that.

4.  I like to cook.  I like to eat.  I hate to do the dishes and clean up.  But I like to cook and eat.

CHILI!  I am really wishing I had some of this today on this very, very cold day.

Chicken, broccoli, rice casserole.  I wasn't too crazy about this.  But I ate it for a week.

Just an egg souffle.  My Mom saw the picture and she said, "Where did you get that?"  I said I made it!

Potato soup.  This was so easy to make.  And I ate it for a week, too!

5.  I cut 2-3 inches off my hair.  (I apologize for the bad selfies. I was trying to show you how long it was.)  It feels like a hundred times better.  I can't pull off long hair.  I don't know why I try.  It is super, super curly when short.

 Have a great weekend everyone!!!!  Stay warm!

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

High Five for Friday

Hey there kitty kats!  I hope you had a great week.  Can you believe it is August?  Where has summer gone?  I am so thankful this year that we have had a mild summer here in the Midwest.  You will get no complaints from me.  And my hair certainly appreciates the light humidity.....LOL.  Let me share some of my highlights from the week. 

1.  Vera Bradley.  I have been obsessed with Vera Bradley for over a decade now.  I love all things Vera but purses are my favorite.  QVC had this little gem as a Today's Special Value a couple weeks ago.  The pink was calling my name.  The price was outstanding (under $50).  I even set my alarm for 1:30am so I could order it!  (I was waiting for the ole paycheck to go in the bank first.  Priorities people!!!)  Funny thing is my Mom had already ordered this for me and was going to surprise me.  (Isn't she the sweetest?!)  So instead she changed her order to the violet color and got a purse for herself.  That is a win/win in my book!

Vera Bradley Signature Print Crescent Handbag in Pink Swirls

Mom's in African Violet

2.  I know I have mentioned before that I like to cook a big meal one night a week so I have plenty of leftovers.  This week I made meatloaf, mashed potatoes (they were the good instant kind), creamed spinach (a recipe I kind of created), and deviled eggs.  This meal lasted several days and I even froze some meatloaf.  I love just being able to go home after work and relax.  Cooking a big meal with leftovers allows me to just heat and serve.  Clean up is so easy.  (I hate dishes!)  Be sure to check out my previous blogs where I made Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Enchiladas.

3.  My Dad and I are super close.  We talk 3-4 times a week.  For some reason on Monday, he was on fire!!!  By that I mean he was making me laugh hysterically.  I had tears going down my cheeks and almost peed my pants.  The best part was he was giggling, too.  We must have talked for about 30 minutes and the whole time he was making joke after joke.  Everything we said to each other was just hilarious.  It had been a long time since I laughed so hard my sides hurt.  I know this may sound silly to share but I will never forget this phone call as long as I live.  It was one of those moments I will treasure forever.

My Daddio

4.  Today the Indiana State Fair begins here in Indianapolis.  It is only a couple miles from my apartment and I really always enjoy going.  Unfortunately it does have some bad memories for me, too.  I was there the night the stage collapsed during a Sugarland concert.  That is a story for another blog post.  This will be the first time I have been back to the fair since this tragedy.  But it is time to get back on the horse and try it again.  My favorite part is all the food.  (Imagine that!)  I love the footlong corn dogs, a lemon shake-up, and a fried dessert.  They always deep fry the weirdest things (like Pepsi).  I've tried a deep fried Twinkie, Oreo, and Reese cup.  Delicious!!!  This year I'm looking forward to a free concert from a couple of cast members of the TV show Nashville.  I'm also excited to try out the new State Fair app on my i-Phone.  I'll be able to make sure I don't miss a thing.

2007 State Fair with Janelle.  Because there is more than corn in Indiana.

Corndog.  Nom, nom, nom.

5.  On Thursday I was in our cafeteria at work getting some lunch.  The cashier was stocking up things as I waited for my food.  She yelled across the room at me, "I haven't seen you in forever!"  (I've been trying to bring my lunch more.)  I smiled at her and said hello/how are you?  I paid for my lunch and as I was leaving she said, "Good to see you."  (I think it had only been a week since I had been in there.)  Then she said something that totally warmed my heart to the core.  "Your smile just brightens up my day."  We need to remember to be kind to each other.  I've been trying over the past month to talk to people more and truly listen to them.  Give them good feedback.  Sometimes I get lost in my own little world and don't want to come out.  But I have found when I put myself out there, people listen to me.

Have a wonderful, safe weekend!  Thank you so much for reading my blog.  I am totally blown away by how many hits I am getting everyday.  This means so much to me.  :-)

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

What's in your purse

One of my favorite bloggers once shared what she had in her purse.  I loved the idea as I am a nosy gal!  I thought I would share what I carry in mine.   

1.  What must you always, always have in your purse besides the obvious?

Obviously I need my debit card or I can't really do much without it.  I am finding more and more though I've got to have that Tide pen in there.  It never fails when I am out to eat, I get something on my shirt.  And Tide pens help before a stain can set in. 

2.  What is the most random thing you carry in your purse?

I would probably say the utility knife.  You just never know when you might need a knife, screwdriver, scissors, or corkscrew!  That corkscrew has opened a bottle of wine or two.  (BTW when I cleaned out my purse I found 3 cat treats inside.  I have absolutely no idea how they got in there.  I really am turning into a crazy cat lady!)

3.  Do you prefer a small purse or a large one?

I would say I have to have a larger purse.  That way I can put my lunch for work in there, my i-pad, change of clothes, reusable grocery bags, book, or cat.  (I kid about the cat.  Callie does like to stick her head in and look around.)

4.  Do you change your purse with your outfit, or wear one for the season?

I change mine for the season.  Or whenever the mood strikes.  Sometimes I carry the same bag for a couple of months or until I get tired of it.

5.  Does your wallet have to match your purse?

I didn't use to care about this but now anymore it must always match!  And is it just me or wallets starting to cost just as much as the purse?!

My new purse from Kohl's I just bought this weekend!

I don't like a lot of clutter in my purse.

If you had seen my purse this past weekend it was not this neat and organized.  I had all kinds of random things in it since I was traveling.  I switched purses so it gave me a good opportunity to clean things out.  I once read that a clean purse makes you feel better and more organized.  I agree.  Plus I'm a neat freak since the day I was born.  (My Mom never had to tell me to clean my room.)

Contents of purse:  Kleenex, wallet (Target.  I have one in black, too), cosmetic bag (someone made for me), keys (Eiffel Tower key chain from Pier 1), work keys, sunglasses (Target).  Not shown:  work ID

I have 3 FOBs.  Isn't that nutz?!  One is for my car, automatic car starter, and one to get into my apt. building.  So obnoxious.   

Cosmetic bag:  Tums, pen, Tide pen (I ALWAYS spill on myself), inhaler, 3 chapsticks, contact drops, nail file, jump drive, hair tie, floss, and utility knife.

No matter what purse I am carrying, I can never find what I am looking for.  Is that just me?  Maybe someday I will master the art of putting my hand in my purse and pulling out what I need the first time.