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The Next Step

1/8/2013

5 Comments

 
I'm going to be honest with you friends.  I'm not doing so hot.

Business-wise life is zipping along happily.  The Fall Line released, and it received a great response.  Bart and I set up our booth at 4 different festivals over the past few months.  Christmas was great.  Charlotte has been keeping me busy stocking her beautiful store with P & P goodness.  I shouldn't be complaining one tiny bit.

Yet.

I can feel myself slipping....sinking.  I miss my boys so much.  I don't want to sound ungrateful.  I know how lucky I am to have a job.  As wonderful as P & P is, I would still trade it all for a few more years home with my kiddos.  I know they have been in school for months now, and I should be over this and back to my perky self.  I'm trying, I really am.  I know most won't understand this, but I also know a few of you might.  

Before I had my kiddos I absolutely could not wait to become a mother.  I know not all feel this way, and that is perfectly fine too.  But, for me it was in my bones.  Once God gave them to me, I couldn't believe one girl could be so blessed.  Sure, there were some pull-my-hair-out days in there, but for the most part I nailed being a baby/toddler Momma.  Rocking that baby back to sleep at 2 in the morning was my forte.  For 8 years I had my dream job, and I knew it too.  I remember praying that God would slow down time so that I could stay a little longer.  

I know I am still "Momma," and there are wonderful years still to come.  I also know that they are not mine to keep.  One day they will set off on adventures of their own, and I will let them go.  I know this.

But I still feel a bit lost.    

Here's the thing.... I really am ready to jump into the working world.  My nerves probably couldn't handle another year of stay-at-home-ness as wonderful as it was.  I could feel part of myself ready to bust out of the gate those last few months.    I won't lie.  There have been moments that have been grand.  It feels so good to be able to contribute more financially to our family.  It's nice to be able to run into stores alone again.  (I can get so much done by myself!)  I actually walked around our town library the other day on my lunch hour.  No one was begging me to leave, no one was running up the aisles, and I wasn't there for my kids' summertime library program.  I was there for me.  I wanted to find a book I wanted to read.  I can't tell you how good this all has been for my inner-self.  Most of the time I'm all, "look at me and my professional working self!  Rock-on!"

So, what is tripping me up?  

Having my studio at home.  The best way I can describe it is I am trying to move on into the working world.  Yet, the ghosts of the past 8 years are still right outside my studio door.  All of my memories of being home with my boys are in this house.  It is so quiet, so empty without them here all day.  No amount of the Today Show or music on my iPod can distract me long enough to not miss them.  I see the Legos on the floor, the dishes in the sink, or the crayons on the coffee table, and I am wrecked.  I'm not going to be able to get through this transition if I stay here.

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Once I realized this, it was like a weight had been lifted.  There has always been a plan to move P & P, but I just didn't know where and when the time would be right.  Last week I realized I had worn yoga pants to work for 6 days straight.  

It's time.  HA.

Right now I am working out all the little details. (Well, God is.  I'm just realizing them here and there.)  It turns out He had a little bit more planned than I did.  But, I can tell you.... it's going to be awesome.         
 
Stay tuned......   ;)    

5 Comments

The Legend

10/20/2011

4 Comments

 
It's time for a confession.

I have a temper.  Most of the time I am a very perky, sunshine-and-roses kind of girl.  I can even be a tad Pollyanna-ish.   When confronted with something/someone who makes me angry, I bite my tongue.  I might think about what I should have said for days, but I never say it when in the moment.  People I can deal with easy-peasy.  But, don't let that fool you.  The furry of Lori's anger can explode at any moment......on an inanimate object. 

It's a trait I inherited from my Father.  My Dad is a contractor who has built many beautiful homes.  He is usually laid back, slow to anger, and the hardest working man I have ever seen.  However, he has been known to "snap" at a tool, piece of lumber, or even a shingle.  It's quick, furious, and mean.  

I do the exact same thing.  I spew hateful, awful, terrible things at inanimate objects that don't "work."  The only way I can explain my thought process is that I expect an appliance/tool/machine to do its job.  When there is no definite reason for the misfire, my temper explodes.  "OH MY GOSH.  WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?  FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, WORK!"  (Sadly, that's an edited version.)  I have to walk away, take a deep breath, and reset.  


So knowing this, here is the tale of the "Legend."
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Friends, meet the Legend.  She is a 1994 Buick Regal, and she is all ours.  I (with the kiddos) drive the newer Outlander around, and Bart rocks this sweet ride when he goes to work.  If you work with him, I'm sure you have seen her in the parking lot.  (and admit it....probably wondered how she is still going.)  

Bart commuted to college and took me on our first date in this car.  In her lifetime with us she has seen 5 different cars park beside her in the garage.  She is the one who has outlasted them all.  Granted, she's not in tip-top shape these days.  She tends to shake when she goes over 50, the air conditioner leaves a puddle on the floorboard, and the side paneling is starting to fall off.  But, she gets the job done.  

Oh, and one other thing:  She ADORES Bart.

Think I'm kidding?  They have a whole little "Knight Rider" thing going on.  See this door handle?     
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It only opens for Bart.  I'm not even joking in the least bit.  It's like some crazy phenomenon....  It was sprung years ago and is a little bajiggity when you pull on it.  He can walk up to the handle and open it with ease.  But when I try to open the door, nothing happens. 

EVERY.  SINGLE.  TIME.  

She hates me.  Bart has stood right beside me, coaching me on how he does it.  We will take turns trying multiple times in a row.  She will only open for him.  Awe, what a funny story....   but it is a little harder in real life.  If I have to drive the Legend, I usually leave the window down and open the door from the inside handle.  Which works when I remember to do so.  I've been stranded 3 times at the grocery store.  Do you know how embarrassing it is to call your husband to come rescue you because you can't open the car door?   Then to watch him pull up, walk up to the car, and open it the very first time with ease?!?!?!?

So, one dusty summer day I was driving the Legend.  I was moonlighting as a Pampered Chef Lady, and I had a party that I had to be at in 15 minutes.  I was running behind, and I needed to swing by my Mom and Dad's house to pick up a baking dish.  I pulled in the driveway, jumped out of the car, and slammed the door behind me.  I dashed through the back door, grabbed the pan, yelled "Thanks!!!", and hurried back outside.  Then I realized....

I hadn't rolled the window down.  I pulled on the handle, and it wouldn't open.  I yanked, I pounded, I tried over and over and over again.

I snapped.  The wrath of Lori came DOWN.  My temper exploded all over that car. I am embarrassed to say my Mom and Dad heard me and came rushing outside thinking I was being attacked.  I walked away for a bit, calmed down, and called Bart.  He drove to my parents house, walked up to the car, and opened it.....on the first try.

I quietly got in the car and went on to my Pampered Chef Party.  Later that night, Bart was out in the garage inspecting the car's handle.  I heard him come back in the house, walk down the hallway, and then stop at the door.  

"Lori?"  he said.  

"Yes, Bart?"  I replied.

"Why is there a footprint on the door panel of my car?"  

Yikes.
4 Comments

CIA Here I Come

9/30/2011

3 Comments

 
Today was catalog delivery day!  This is one of my favorite days with P & P.  I woke up beyond excited this morning.  The catalogs ship UPS, so I had the tracking number pulled up on my laptop.  "Oh, look....it's in Indy!  Oh, look it's on the truck for delivery!"  Then finally, I refreshed the page and it read, "DELIVERED.  LEFT ON FRONT PORCH."

I jumped up from the floor where Ben and I were playing.  "That's so strange.  I didn't hear anything!"  I thought as I skipped to the front door.  I took a deep breath, swung open my front door, and.....

there was nothing there.  

"Hm.  That's weird.  Maybe they left it on the back deck."  I rationalized to myself.  

I walked around my house 3 times searching every nook and cranny.  There were no big brown boxes to be found.  

Did I mention that our address is in the process of being changed due to the new 911 addresses?  Greaaaaaat timing.

I called UPS.  I called my printing company.  I had all kinds of representatives trying to find that package.  "Mam, it says it was delivered.  Have you checked everywhere?"  and my favorite, "We filed a missing package claim.  We will get back to you in 1-8 days."

Sorry sir, that's not going to work for this chick.

I hung up my phone and banged my head on the table.  What to do?  I took a deep breath, and then decided it was time to take action.

I grabbed my keys, (Bart was home by now to stay with the kiddos) and headed out.  I slowly drove through my neighborhood scanning front porches.  I turned onto the highway, and just when I was about to give up....

I SAW A BIG BROWN BOX!  

I whipped into the driveway.  The house was deserted, but there were tons of cars driving by.  I sunk down in my seat (with my big ole' shades on), and glanced around.  
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Their mailbox number was the exact same as ours!  We were on different routes (ah, the joys of country living.)  It HAD to be my catalogs.  Now what?  Do I knock? What if some little old lady lived there and called the cops on me?  Isn't tampering with mail a crime?  What was I doing?!??  That was my package!  I knew it was!

With a burst of courage I jumped out of my car.  I moved all stealth-like up to the front porch.  At the last minute I decided it was a no-go on the knocking.  I bent down with fingers crossed, and lo and behold..... it was my catalogs! 

I squealed with happiness.  I quickly covered my mouth....  Secret Agent, remember?!??  You're going to blow your cover!  I hoisted my big brown box and walked quickly to my car.  I jumped in the driver's seat and drove off laughing like a crazy woman who just got away with a bank heist.   
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Boo ya.
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Victory!
3 Comments

Bennett

9/25/2011

10 Comments

 
Sorry for the lack of posts lately, my lovelies.  I've been a bit busy with all of the new fall line hoopla.  (Not that I'm complaining!)  So far I've received very positive feedback from the online release.  Thank you so much for all of your support out there.  It means so much!  The hard copy catalogs are supposed to be here soon, so look for those in your mailboxes by next week!

While I've been holed up in my studio working this week I have been belting out a new album.  What do you think this rock-loving, folksy following, closet-pop gal has been rocking out to?
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I can hear you laughing there in the back!  Hush it!  I LOVE me some Tony Bennett.  I've been a fan for-evah, and this new album has some sweet duets with some of the greats.  There is something so relaxing about his music.  It makes me think of Christmas-time for some reason....just all warm and fuzzy inside.

So, here are two Tony trivia facts for you from the life of Lori Wade:

Our wedding song was "The Way You Look Tonight," and we chose the version by the grand Mr. Bennett.  (Everyone together..."Awe!")  Bart wasn't so sure, but I convinced him of the timeless feel of the song.  It was perfect.  

Our youngest boy, Ben, is not a Benjamin.  That's right, he's a Bennett.  

How's that for dedication?  

No, really we just loved the name Ben.  But, the name Benjamin?  Not so much.  (No offense to anyone out there who has a Benjamin or is named Benjamin himself.  It's a great name!)  You see, very early on the name Benjamin was ruined for both of us.  Why might you ask?  Well, it turns out that we are both SUPER NUTBALLS about the movie Wayne's World.
My only explanation is that we grew up on it.  I am confident I can quote every line from the original movie.  Bart and I have heated debates on which was better, 1 or 2.  (I say 1, he says 2.)

Anyway, remember the villain in this movie?  The sleazeball who tried to steal away the beautiful Cassandra?
 
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Benjamin
Benjamin.  I can't hear the name and not imagine it being said in Garth's little voice.  So, what to do?  We dug out a book of baby names and looked for other versions of the name Ben.  Bennett was one, and we both loved it.  Tony Bennett gave the name major coolness, and I had a choir teacher in school named Mrs. Bennett who was amazing.  A kiddo that shared her name would be a good thing.  But, the thing that sold us?  Bennett meant "Little blessed one." 

Side note:  Ben's middle name is my Father's middle name, Marcus.  It means war-like; a fighter.  So Ben's name means a blessed little fighter.  And my, how he has lived up to his name.  
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Does anyone else want to share why they chose their kiddo's name?  Or, maybe your own name has a cool background?  I'd love to hear your stories!
10 Comments

Why is it so Hard for Me to ask for Help?

9/16/2011

3 Comments

 
I have a bad tendency to think I can fix things myself.  Case in point:  This week I worked my toushie off getting the fall catalog ready for print.  My photographer gives me the photos and I lay out the catalog.  After some long hours, I had the catalog looking mighty fine.  The print company I use is amazing, but the catalog has to be submitted as a PDF file.  Sounds so simple, doesn't it?

HA.  I spent an entire day and a half trying to figure out how to transfer my catalog from a Publisher file to a PDF.  I did this last time with ease (and a free trial program of PDF Complete, which has since expired.)  I downloaded free programs (all which didn't work), saved multiple copies, might have yelled a bit, and almost pulled my hair out.  

I have a brother, a best friend, and an acquaintance whom are each computer whizzes.  Did I call any of them?  No.  Lori, the girl who thinks she can figure out everything on her own, did not.  I stressed all day long, adamant that I could do it.

I finally gave up, handed the laptop over to my husband, and watched him click a few buttons.   He turned the laptop screen back to me, and there, saved in PDF, was my catalog.  

I jumped up and kissed my hero.

"How?" I asked.  "It was easy."  He replied.  "I just called Cain and Shane (two of our best friends) and asked what I should do.  It was a free download and easy to fix."

So, God really wanted to hit this point home this week.  Case in point numero dos:

Hank, my heavy duty sewing machine, has been in the shop this last weekend.  He is my work horse, needed a good cleaning, and his tension had gone haywire.  When I picked him up Monday, my Singer lady told me the bobbin case (the bottom thread holder of the machine) had a broken tension adjustment.  I'm pretty sure I broke it trying to fix it myself before I brought Hank in.  

*sigh*     
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She told me I could still sew with him (it's a long story, but basically you just set all the tension from the top.)   Eventually I would have to replace the bobbin case ($50 repair), but not now.  He would have many more purses in his future before he would need the repair.


So, I took him home Monday and fired him up.  20 minutes later, he was doing the exact same thing as before.  I was ticked, mostly at myself because I knew this was my fault.  If I had just took him straight to my lady and not tried to fix this myself he would be fine.  I boxed him back up, and tried to figure out how to come up with $50 more dollars.  I was certain the bobbin case was the problem.  (You know, since I am such an expert in the area.)  /sarcasm/

Finally, today, I called my singer lady.  I explained what Hank was doing, and asked how long it would take to order the part.  "Oh honey, there is no way you need that part yet.  Are you sure you threaded it right?  You have to pull that thread really taunt when you pull it through that top tension.  If you don't, it won't catch, and you will get those loops."  she said.

I told her I would try, but really didn't think it would work.  I hung up, got Hank back out, and re-threaded him the way she had told me to.  Tight.  I started him up, and......

He worked.  

I hung my head in shame.

The point of this week?   I can't do everything on my own.  I don't know everything, and It's ok to ask the experts when I am baffled.  Why suffer trying to figure out something when there is someone who has already learned the lesson and can share the knowledge with me?
I need to trust other people to help me.

Anyone else out there try to do it all yourself?     
3 Comments

Give-Away Time: P & P Lanyard!

9/2/2011

21 Comments

 
Today's Give-Away is for a Prim & Posh Lanyard in Sapphire Blooms.  The lanyard will be offered in the new fall line for $8.
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Ben has been obsessed with keys lately. He's got a lanyard on order.
Lanyards are great for holding ID tags or keys.  So, our entries today have to do with keys.  Tell me about the first key you owned.  What was it to?
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ooooooo... Look at me and my bad Senior self.
Mine started up a white 1987 Grand Am.  Oh, how I miss that sweet ride.  I got it for my 16th birthday, and then worked at Pizza hut to make the payments.  (I thought I was all big stuff because I had a car payment.  If only life was that easy again!  HA!)  Oh, the memories I had in that car.  Cruising town with my friends, the heater core exploding and filling my car with black smoke that resulted in me and 4 other girls bailing and running screaming down the highway.....  OH!  We must not forget the day our softball team won some tournament.  We decided such a feat needed a caravan through town.  I rear-ended one of my teammate's car.  With 2 girls hanging out the sunroof.  

Not one of my finest moments, for sure.

But, I loved that car.  The accident left one of the headlights duck-taped on, and the driver's side door stopped working (so I had to go all Dukes of Hazard style.)  Eventually the sunroof leaked, the horn fell off, and the radio died.  It didn't matter; she rocked anyway.  I still miss her.

What was your key to?  


Give-Away ends tonight at 8:00 pm. 
21 Comments

The Mystery of the Missing Taco Seasoning

8/30/2011

2 Comments

 
A couple evenings ago we had taco night at our house.  Bart and I tag-team this meal, so we both were in the kitchen milling about.  

"Lori, I can't find the Taco Seasoning.  I know I picked some up Saturday.  You put groceries away the other day.  Where did you put it?"   He asked.
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"I don't remember a Taco Seasoning."  I answered while starting the tea.

Bart and I commenced into going through the ENTIRE pantry.  No Taco Seasoning was to be found, but we did come across some canned corn from 2009.  
(yikes!)  It was decided that he would start the hamburger, and I would run to the store and pick up another seasoning.  Kiddos would continue to be kiddos at home.

I jumped in my car and turned the radio up.  Admit it, after toting around kids all day it's kind of fun to drive by yourself for a bit.  If you read my blog, you know that me, alone in a car, is a recipe for rock.

As I was turning into Wal-Mart one of my songs ended.  I heard my cell phone ringing in my purse.  I quickly turned off my tunes and answered the phone.  "Hello?" I said all
normal-like.

"I have been trying to call you for 10 minutes.  You were rocking out again, weren't you?" he asked.

"Maybe???"  I sheepishly responded.  Man, this guy knows me.

"I found the taco seasoning.  It was in the fridge, underneath the shredded cheese you put away."  he said.

Whoops.
2 Comments

Mortification.

8/15/2011

8 Comments

 
That pretty much sums up today.

Let me back up a minute.  I am still working on losing weight.  There have been some changes since my last fitness post....

I had to break up with Jillian.

I lost my first 10 pounds thanks to Jillian, and I will forever be grateful to her for that.  But, the lady was KILLING my knees.  Both of my knees were in braces after a few weeks, and they eventually hurt so bad I couldn't do anything.  Exercising was out of the question.  I also talked with a friend who had done the Jillian workout.  She had knee trouble too, but she kept pushing on through it.  She ended up having to have operations on both of her knees.  (yikes!)  She said she couldn't be for sure it was the workout, but common sense tells you it probably had something to do with it.  


So yeah, I dumped Jillian's crazy butt.

If I work out each day, Healthy Lori is there reminding me of all the hard work I did that morning.  "You worked so hard!  Remember those crunches?!?!?  Don't ruin it with that Reeses Cup!  Put it down, Sister!!!"    However, days when I don't work out Lazy Lori rules the roost.  I eat terrible, and I guzzle cokes all day.  I have to have something to keep me on track.

My Aunt Meleah has loaned me a new set of workout DVDs called "Slim in 6."  It's by Beachbody, and I have heard awesome things about the company.  I tried the first workout this morning and did ok.  There are some lunges I am going to have to skip due to the sensitive knees, but all in all it seems better.  The program also comes with a little chart to hang up so you can keep track of what workouts you do each day.  I proudly hung up my little chart this morning and marked my workout.  

Now, this program also suggests that you take a "before" photo.  "Swimsuit photos are the best" they claim.  This is to show the person how his or her body has changed after 6 weeks.  I decided to go for it.  How bad could it be?  I had already lost 13 pounds!!

I dug through my clothes and found a blue bikini that fit about 50 pounds ago.  I squeezed my fat heiny into it, set the timer on the camera, and did the pose.

"Sweet Mother of Abraham, is that my derriere?!?!?"



Let's just say, things are a lot worse than I thought.

So, the Slim in 6 crew suggests that you print this picture and place it next to your chart for motivation.  I laughed.  Yeah, right.  This is never seeing the light of day!!!

Then I remembered that little "Photos in a Few Minutes" machine at Wal-Mart.  You select your pictures, you pick them up out of the printer, the photo tech just scans your bar-code, and you are set.  No one sees the photos except you.  Hm......  it just might work. 


I plugged my little SD card into the machine.  I looked over both of my shoulders to make sure there wasn't a soul in sight.  I hurriedly selected both photos (front and back shots)  and a few others to help hide the horrid photos.  I sent my order and grabbed my receipt.  "An hour and a half wait!  What!??"

Suddenly, the sickening truth dawned on me.  I was at the wrong machine.  I had just sent my big-butt-blue-bikini photos to the ladies behind the counter.

Oh.  My.  Gosh.

My stomach dropped, my cheeks flushed, and my heart started to race.  I suddenly imagined my big-butt-blue-bikini photo dropping off of the printer, getting picked up by the tech lady, and her waving it around for everyone to see.  "Can you believe this!!?!?  Look at that HUGE BUTT!  HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!


I ran to the counter.  Maybe it wasn't too late.....   With panicked, fear-filled eyes I asked the lady, "Can you cancel my order?  I don't want these prints anymore."  She looked at me strangely and told me that no, she couldn't.  Once and order is placed it can't be stopped.  "Is there a problem?" she asked.


I bit my lip.  Do I tell her?  Maybe she won't even look.  No, with my luck that baby will be the talk of all the Wal-Mart's in the tri-state area.  I had to do it.

"Well, uh....you see, I have an embarrassing photo in there.  I thought I was printing the instant prints where only I would see it, and I am so embarrassed!"  I squeaked.

She raised an eyebrow.  "Just what kind of picture are we talking about?"

"Oh my, no.  I mean, it's for my weight-loss program.  It's a before shot....you know, to give me motivation?"  I explained.  "It's me in a bikini."  I whispered and gave her the most pitiful look. (the kind of look that begs mercy from another person)


She smiled.  "I'm the only one back here right now.  It should print in the next 10 minutes.  I'll make sure no one sees it."  

I wanted to hug her for being so kind.  I sheepishly thanked her, took my pictures, and ran away.  


So, yes, the photo is now hanging next to my chart.  It's painful, but I need reminding.  It's easy to hide in big clothes and pretend it's not as bad as it really is.  When I am tempted to skip a workout or pig out like crazy, big-butt-blue-bikini girl will be staring me down.   

 If something like that doesn't give me motivation, nothing will.

8 Comments

My New Enemy

7/18/2011

6 Comments

 
I have an new enemy.

Before I introduce him to you, I must set the scene.  I like to grow flowers.
 
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With all of the crazy heat we have had lately, my flowers were looking pretty neglected.  The garden was in dire need of weeding and my flowers just needed some TLC.  I decided to go out first thing this morning and work.  I thought the heat wouldn't be as bad at 8:00 in the morning.  I was wrong.  It's like a sauna out there!  So, I was covered in sweat, dirt, and looking mighty fine with my little gardening gloves on.  /sarcasm/

This was the scene of the attack:

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The bottom of this rose was pretty weedy and some rocks had fallen down around the roots.  I stuck my hands down and started raking the rocks toward me.  Then he attacked.
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I screamed so loud I bet my neighbors thought I had been shot.  I also proceeded in jumping around my front yard, shaking my hands and yelling awful things.  The little beast staged his attack on my knee and then ran away like a little coward.  OOOOOOOO!!!!  He wins again.

This little guy lives in my garden.  We have run-ins from time to time because he likes to live around the bottoms of my flowers.  It's cool there and I unknowingly give him a bath everyday when I water them.   I picture him laughing as I do this.  Then, when I try to pull weeds he attacks every time.  I know it is coming, I know he isn't really going to hurt me,  but every time he scares the living daylight out of me!

Now, I understand that I am invading him on his "turf."  We should both co-exist and get along.  Kumbaya and all of that.  But a few months ago, he crossed a line where there is no going back.

Warning:  this story could be TMI for some people.  If you are one that usually feels that way, you should probably stop reading now.  See ya next time!


Still here?  Ok........ here we go.

I woke up one spring morning, yawned, and made my usual trek to the bathroom to "ahem" relive myself.  I stumble inside the bathroom with my eyes half open (I am NOT a morning person and do not function until I have a shot of caffeine.)  Picture a zombie Lori.  I sat down and "ahemed."  As I was "aheming," I opened my eyes, and sitting on the bathroom floor in front of me and starring at me with his beady little eyes was that dang toad.

You can't make this stuff up, peeps.

I screamed, did my little angry dance (half-naked), and Bart flew into the bathroom thinking I was hurt.  It was a moment neither of us like to remember.  Ha ha.  Bart took him back outside and released him.  (I'm now thinking we should have taken him farther away.)   To this day we still can't figure out how the little creep got inside, made it down the hallway, and then staked out my bathroom.  See what I mean?  This guy means war.  
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You'll Like Linton..... 4th of July Edition

7/2/2011

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The 4th of July is upon us, ladies and gents.  Break out your red, white, and blue and get ready for a great holiday.

Our little town we live in does the 4th in style.  We start out ours at a restaurant called The Grill for breakfast.  (There is also a scrumdiddlyumptious breakfast the Civitan serves at the fire station, but we go to The Grill because it is our family tradition.)  After our bellies are full of sweet pancakes we walk down to Main Street where my Father-in-Law has staked out our seats the night before.  (Love him.)  With bags ready for candy we wait with anticipation for the sirens to start.  

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This is us at the Parade a few years ago. Rain doesn't even stop the Wades.....
Now, I've seen 2 other 4th of July parades, and our's puts those to shame.  Fire trucks, beautiful floats, marching bands, queens, horses, old cars, and we must not forget the Shriners with their awesome mini-motorcycles.   (Kids, watch your toes.)  Those are just the regular entries too!  You never know what you will see in the parade.  When it is over we cart our heaping bags of candy back to my in-law's home.  My Mother-in-Law serves us lunch (and boy, can this lady cook!)   Afterwards the children plow through the candy and there is not a blue tootsie roll left in sight.

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After some re-coop time at home, we come back to the town park for fireworks.  We are not talking about a few blips in the sky.  These are FIREWORKS.  Usually the park is bustling with people....a band is playing music on the stage, the carnival is lit up and in full swing at the back of the park, lawn chairs and blankets are strewn about, and everyone is waiting patiently for the sun to slip below the trees.  At 10:30 the first boom tells you it is time.  (Pst.....this is my favorite part of the 4th.)  I love how time slows, and for a little while you get to just enjoy the beauty of it all. 
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I love our town.  Bart and I grew up here, and we are now raising our children here.  Sometimes I will run into someone who started out here but has since moved away.  That is all fine and dandy, and I get that for some people that is a better "fit" for them.  That's awesome.  I'm not ragging on you.  But, it drives me BANANAS when the person looks at me with that "I feel sorry for you that you are still stuck in this small town." attitude.  Listen up, folks.  My husband and I could have moved away after we were married.  The sky was the limit, peeps.  Bart and I chose to stay here.  We want to be here.  Our families are here, our memories are here, and we LOVE this town.   (Can I get an amen?)  Ha ha....

So, I am going to relax and enjoy this 4th of July in this awesome little town.  There is nowhere else I'd rather be.

I hope each of you have a wonderful and festive 4th of July!  Grab that candy, light that sparkler, and celebrate our Independence!  

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    Lori.  Momma.  Noonday Ambassador.  Avid coffee drinker.  Lover of good music and books.  Former seamstress and teacher.  Wife of 13 years to Bart and the mother of Drew, Ben and Lincoln.     

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