Chim Chim-in-ey...and FIT TIP (#194)

Chim chim cher-oo!

I love our front chimney.  I love the brick detail.

I also love our Juliet balcony.  

I do not love the paint & trim color, 

but that will change!

I love these Autumn days.

It's all so magical.

The colors,

the scents, the scenery!

It's been 2 months since my last post.

I have been a bad blogger, BUT

I have been a good nester.

I have so much to show & tell.

Instagram is easier, quicker.

One picture and one sentence.

You know what they say about 

the worth of a picture!

@conlynbee is where I am (on instagram)

more often than here.

I'm not ready to give up blogging...really!  

FIT TIP (#194):  Look Again...Always!

Words for the Week

{10.30.2013}

I Saw the Light...

yes I did, and I bought it

from a very nice gentlemen that is redecorating
his beautiful country estate
in mid-century modern.

I wish he would have had a few more

of these 1940 (rewired) beauties

that needed a new (old) home.

Oh yeah, did I mention

we found and bought a lovely

1930 Tudor.  Move in next month!

We have been having so much fun

exploring, house-hunting....

 
attending outdoor concerts...
at least one a week,
sometimes more!

and traveling,

that I haven't stopped to blog.

But, I'm back.  Really!

Had a blast with our
little Delaware Dudes recently.
They will welcome a
little sis in January...we're all excited!

Even ordinary mailboxes

thrive in the Midwest summers!

FIT TIP (#193):  Keep the FAITH

Words for the Week
{8.30.2013}

From There to Here...and FIT TIP (#192)

Here, in the beautiful Midwest.

Here, where deer were hanging out at the lake

late this morning

while I was hanging out on the deck

in perfect 73 degree sunshine.

This is (the short cut of) how we got here:

From Arizona we cut through a piece 

New Mexico and on to El Paso.

With help from Kendal's dad

and her father-in-law, 

Ray loaded up Kendal's piano and

we journeyed from west Texas to

east Texas to deliver said piano

AND

spend a super fun weekend with our

favorite Texans...

continuing some Silly String,

soda-tasting, movie-watching

traditions!

From Texas we traveled through parts

of Arkansas and Missouri...

and the family farm where Ray spent

the first 10 years of his life.

It was a pleasure for me to

meet the uncle who was Ray's

 role model/father figure during those

formative years.

He and his lovely wife

are such sweet, fun, authentic people.

If you follow me on instagram

you saw the original barn...love, love!

After Branson & Springfield (family farm)

we spent time at The Lake of the Ozarks.

This is the Midwest's version of

Lake Powell...but larger...much!

I fell in love with the Ozarks

on this journey...

and barns!

Then came St. Louis and The Arch.

Being married to an engineer

I have come to appreciate many "things"

on a different level.

This is one of them.

Some of the views from on top

are also on my instagram feed.

We then cut through a bit of

Illinois and Indiana

before reaching Ohio.

We are here!

We are house hunting.

We are exploring.

(pics to come)

We are loving it!!!

FIT TIP (#192):  How to Use a Towel

Words for the Week
{5.20.2013}

Cha Cha Changes

Boxes, boxes and more boxes around here.

Taking a break from bubble wrap and packing tape to share some excitement.

One, two, three...

One--I quit my job.  I had been debating it for a while,

and it totally made sense when:

Two--Handsome Husband (with my full support) accepted a

(woot woot) position at company headquarters, and so...

Three--We sold our home...to the first people who came

through...before the For Sale sign even went up! 

(We are keeping our other desert home so we

can become snowbirds.  Yup, I just typed that!)

We are excited.

I will miss living so close to all 4 of my sisters...

but a little distance won't come between us.

It never has.  It never will.  Believe me!  

And, when HH travels to the Valley of the Sun

I will definitely accompany him!

Even though the company is "moving" us,

I/we are packing ourselves up.  That's just

how I/we roll.  You know, the 3 pile thing.

Keep, Toss, Give

We will be:

--so much closer to our Delaware dudes

--enjoying the great outdoors this summer

--living in a company condo during:

--house hunting...I would love an old, restored

   house with lots of character etc.

Feel free to follow me on instagram

@conlynbee

as I document our journey

(we will be driving, because we have

an old, big, black dog)

and the house hunt...it's going to be

EXCITING.  Have I said that?

And FUN.

Sorry...No FIT TIP and no Words for the Week--

Blame it on the boxes!

In the Air...and FIT TIP (#191)

Spring is in the air. 
I smell it.  I feel it.  I love it.

Change is also in the air.
I smell it.  I feel it.  I love it.

I'm more than a little excited.
If you talk to me weekly
you probably know.

If not,
check back soon...
we (HH & I) have some news.



FIT TIP (#191): Give it All You've Got

Words for the Week
{3.31.2013}

Easily Entertained...and FIT TIP (#190)

What's better than happy, excited, little munchkins?

Very few things, right?  Fun rides at Freestone Park,
if you live in the (east) Valley of the Sun and
you have little visitors, will do it.
Just ask Emerson.

A few other things that are guaranteed to bring smiles
and excitement to kids of all ages:

Are you a Peeps fan?  If so, can you spare a few for entertainment's sake?

 

If you're not a lover of Peeps (raising my hand here)
this is the perfect solutions for the colorful little treats!
Hilarious.  Must Try.



Glow Fun...for outdoor evenings!

Homemade Glow (stick) Bottle
Leave 1/4 of the Mt. Dew in the bottle (after you drink 3/4)
add a little bit of baking soda and
3 caps of peroxide.
Put lid on tight and shake.

Yes, I am easily entertained/amused. 
I like that about myself.




FIT TIP (#190): WAKE UP at the same time every morning

it stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.



Words for the Week
{3.24.2013}

the Birds and the Bees...and FIT TIP (#189)

Our citrus is in full bloom these days

in the Valley of the Sun.  It is glorious!
Every spare moment, we can be found in the backyard.

On one such Saturday afternoon
(about a month ago)
HH was tinkering around with pool
equipment and shrubbery etc.
and I was swinging in the hammock...

observing the birds drinking from
the fountain at the pool's edge
and the bees taking advantage of our
lemon trees.  Daydreaming.

Amid his "yard tinkering" HH swooped
down to smooch me, and as we were
flirting etc. I realized his wedding band
was MIA.  He was shocked...me too.

Not normal for HH.  He never, ever
takes it off.  We were both a bit stunned.
As we recovered, we started a mad search.

We scoured the backyard, and then
scoured it again.  No luck.
We then went on a different search...
hunting for a similar band of gold.
No luck with that either.

We left town for a week and HH kept
mentioning how strange it felt to not have
his wedding ring on.  We determined we
would find a replacement, once home.

We looked for something similar. 
No luck.
Then our Texans showed up and there
was no time for jewelry shopping,
but plenty of time for backyard-enjoying.

As I was swimming and playing with
the little Texans, HH was once again
tinkering among pool equipment and
once again swooped over for a smooch
and guess what?

His wedding band, the original---
was right where it belonged,
on his left hand.  Recovered!
I whooped and giggled and then
we sealed the deal with a kiss.

Ahhh, to Springtime and
the Birds and the Bees!

Have a magnificent weekend!


FIT TIP (#189):  Lemon Love

Words for the Week
{3.10.2013}

Twist of a Knob...and FIT TIP (#188)

Whenever under the same roof as any of my grands

my mornings start gloriously.
With the twist of a doorknob
sweet, little, happy faces
peer in to see if their CC is awake!

Without hesitation (no matter the hour)
I wave them in and they waste no time.
We cuddle, sing, giggle, discuss all kinds
of important things, and make plans. 
We connect.

I love that they search me out first thing!!!
Such a great way to begin the day.

Last week in Delaware
with the above cuties and HH...



celebrating our anniversary.  I am one lucky Mrs.

We had a blast with our J. Brown crew.

Hope to see them again soon!!!

FIT TIP (#188):  Attitude...take it from Jack!

Words for the Week
{3.3.2013}

Kiss Your Life...and FIT TIP (#187)

Feeling so much love in my life. 

Giving love, receiving love.

That's what it's all about.

 

Such awesome people to share with...

especially HH.

One week until our anniversary!

 

Time flies when you're kissing life.

 

Happy Valentine's Day.

 Everyday.

FIT TIP (#187):  Kiss Your Life

Words for the Week
{2.10.2013}

For Love or Money...and FIT TIP (#186)

Jewelry, fancy restaurants, flowers, chocolate...

just some of the typical ways to spend money this month.

 

All fine and dandy, but February
is actually the best time of the year to buy
the following 10 items:

 1.  Prom Dresses.  Obviously, this one isn't for everyone.
 2.  Boats.  Make a deal on the S.S. Minnow of your dreams.
 3.  Indoor Furniture.  60% savings if you do your homework.
 4.  Broadway Tickets.  Off season deals abound.
 5.  Home Electronics.  Time to reduce shelf inventory.
 6. Vday Aftermath.  Cupid-inspired gifts go on sale.
 7.  A/C Systems.  The whole supply/demand issue.
 8.  Winter Sports Equipment.  To use now & later.
 9.  Vacation in London. Fewer tourists, great deals.
10.  Indoor DIY Projects.  Incredible sales @ big box stores.

Now back to jewelry, candy, etc.   

Text from my daughter this morning:

Less than a week until Valentine's Day.

Time to come up with a plan!

Any brilliant ideas?

 

And then she sent me this:

Someone got into mommy's lipstick...and is pleased with the results!



(very appropriate) FIT TIP (#186):  (eat) Dark Chocolate

Words for the Week
{2.3.2013}

Words for the Week
{1.27.2013}

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."  --Marcus Aurelius

Oh My Word!...and FIT TIP (#185)

Words are Powerful

As 2012 was winding down, I thought about "my word" of years past.

My focus word.  One per year.

One by one they became my companions.

Helped guide and direct my actions

for a year and then stuck around after

a new year & word came along.

I invited them to stay.

 

As I was contemplating possible words for 2013

 

I couldn't help but realize the power of words.

They can encourage, comfort, inspire, uplift, teach, etc.

A simple word or two can do so much good.

I've seen it.  I've felt it.

On the flip side, and there is one,
they can hurt, harm, stifle, discourage, frighten, etc.
A simple word or two can do so much damage.
I've seen it.  I've felt it.

So, I started a list,

in search of "my word" for 2013.

That's how I do it.  The list gets long

before is shrinks.  I debate

with myself.

This became my short list:

--wholehearted

--magnify

--expand

--occupy

And then I read this: 

 

And it spoke to me.

Exactly the "feel" I was going for.

 I almost chose "extra".

And then it clicked.  Just like it always does.

STRETCH.

Take what I've got--

what I've been given, assigned, earned, etc.

and stretch it...



You know, that little extra.

S-t-r-e-t-c-h the norm...my personal norm.

My new word is almost 3 weeks old.

I'm liking it...feeling it.

 

FIT TIP (#185): Dream

Words for the Week

{1.20.2013}

Words for the Week
{1.13.2013}