Saturday-FUNday...in H-Town!

What a FUN day....we headed into town for a couple of errands.  Our favorite optometrist is inside the loop and it's time for a new look - I'm going the Tina Fey route.  Or...Debra Messing in her upcoming show, "Smash."  Darker frames, tortoise shell - a more intelligent look.


Our kale, blueberry and protein shake for breakfast was wearing off; so I googled.  Although we are changing our way of eating, it DOES include a bit of protein.  Burgers - as long as grass fed - are ok.  Yup, I found where in Houston to eat such a burger!

The website will inform you of their location...they're always on the move.  May I say, I thoroughly enjoyed {i.e., devoured!} my burger.  Sans bun + fries.  My piece of grass-fed beef was smothered with bleu cheese, burgundy-infused mushrooms, and "tipsy" onions.  OMgoodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


On the way to the eye doctor, I chomped gum and chewed on mints to deflect those onions...poor eye docs!  Those close encounters!  Ewwwww.  Any-hoo, had tons of fun picking out my new frames.


Time for a more serious stop.  We went to visit #2 Son.....and felt like tour guides as we helped several couples learn the ropes.  It's rather strange to feel comfortable on Baker Street in Houston.  Our
boy is doing well - God is working within the system.  He's been incarcerated for 9 weeks and is the most stable we've ever seen him.  Since time heals all wounds, I am now ready (i.e., no longer angry) to wrap my arms around him.  In fact, it kills me that we cannot touch.  Talking through the speaker with a thick glass between us is NOT good for mother-love.  Or father-love (especially since My Guy is so tender...).


Speaking of My Guy, he suggested another stop downtown - Phoenicia.  We literally went around the world - it was fascinating to see so many countries represented in food aisles!!!!

An olive oil aisle that went on forever....

Coffees from every corner of the world!

Date Day in H-town is as fun as we make it folks!  Something I want to be intentional about is to step out of my box.  I want to explore - enjoy - and love my days to the fullest.  I'm a lucky gal to have a Guy who wants to hang with me and do the same.  2012 is rockin' thus far!

CPR for The Soul!

I love my "stuff" - it brings me comfort.  
But, this is getting a little nuts...

That would be the make-up drawer of a product junkie!  And, believe it or not, this is the stuff that I {only} use on a daily basis!  I have more, hidden from sight.  


It's hard for me to keep my "toilette" simple.  But, it IS more appealing, the older I get.  Really!  Who do I need to impress?  IF I get to that less is more look, I'll let you know.


All around me, it's always been more is more.  Friends come over and ask:

"Vava, do you have enough black pencils?"

I think I'm ready to simplify - starting with that toilette of mine, getting organized and purging stuff!

AND, this unexpected season is a gift I never saw coming.  The quiet in our home is just what the doctor ordered.  Literally.  I treasure my early mornings: coffee, journal, my daily must-reads, and time with Him.

In the afternoon, two dogs are it, when I walk in from work.  No other demands of me.  (Well, My Guy, yes.  But I get home a few hours before he does.)

One project that will help organize me is on the drawing board.  We are turning our study into a "library."  It is heavy with furniture: BIG desk, and not-so-pretty free standing bookshelves.  We no longer use the space as originally set up.  I'd like to make every room user-friendly.  John, the carpenter, came by last weekend to measure and the big reveal should be mid-February.  By now, you know I MUST have tons of books.  I plan on organizing them and putting all of them in our "new" room.  The thought of a room for reading just about makes my head spin...in a good way!

Part of the reason for writing this year is so our son can read it when he comes home.  He is a fan of mine (blog-wise) and will miss out on Life at Home for many months.  He told My Guy and me: "...be strong, I am going to make it."  Well, if HE is, so am I!  


Another plan of mine is to be intentional in how I spend time.   I don't want to waste it.  I want to read more than watch TV.  I'd like to do more with friends.  

...have friends to our table.  Talk.  Laugh.  Fellowship.  Friends are "the stuff of life" I DON'T want to purge!  They are a blessing.


Vava's List for 2012
1. Take less time to get ready in the mornings = purge products!
2. Purge each room monthly = dispose of stuff!
3. Get strong = exercise!
4. Read!
4. Stay connected to God!
5. Connect with friends!

Connect + Purge + Read = CPR for my soul!

It's All Mine!

Rearranging, fluffing is my hobby.

Took over a corner in our master...

It's quite girly and makes me smile.

VavaVOOM!

Nine days in and it's been a VERY, VERY good year.  Many blogs tout a new year, new you; fresh beginnings, a brand new start.  I am The Poster Child for these cliches!  #2 Son is out of pocket.  Let's be honest - he's incarcerated.  Ok, he's in the slammer.  On November 17, 2011 they took our "baby" away and I was cool with the court's decision.  It had to be.  As the judge stated, "...there is no other option."  So, a good year? Yes!

Let me explain.  Have you ever been worn out and so frail and frazzled that you became another person?  This past fall, I turned into a dull, lifeless, lazy version of myself.  Vava sans the voom.

A book I've posted about, A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of a Misspent Life is my mantra.  Inside, it's all about the cozy, imperfect interior as far as I'm concerned.  Yet, during the fall 2011, MY innards were unkempt.  I like my innards to be "perfectly kept."

I was furious and fed up with his antics.  He was becoming a danger to himself and others.  He is gone for a bit and now....our home is {once again} our haven.  There is a palpable peace within.  I enter with a smile.  When gone from home, I long to be in it.

My innards are healing and I'm getting my "voom" back.  I think I'll try my hand at blogging again.  I've been fluffing around the home crazily.  Can't help myself there.  In our master, I removed the TV. Rest, relaxation and calm is what we need.  I made a little corner all mine, a girly, "Vava" corner.  It puts a smile on my face.

I am filled with anticipation and HOPE.  Excitement is building - all around me.  At work.  Oh, and literally!  We are building out our study...with tons of shelves.  I need a library more than an office.  What a delicious thought - a room to snuggle into to read.  {sIgH!}

All the while, Jesus Calling has been by my side.  That little book is better than a breakfast of Wheaties!  And better than any book, is Jesus Himself.  He's never left me.  At times, I drifted...but He woos me back.  He's my true "voom."

I hope to be around more and would like to raise a glass to each of you.  Here's to a NEW year - let's all get our voom on!