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Welcome back, summer, my old friend

I feel like I’ve lead a thousand lives since last Thursday or whenever it was when I last wrote a post. We hit the ground for summer running and here’s hoping this week will be the week we actually easy into something resembling vacation.

Last Tuesday Gulley and I road-tripped to Dallas for our friend Jamie’s birthday party that Jen was hosting. We knew it was a crazy time to make the trip but, in light of all this year has held with Jen’s health, we have all become more aware than ever that we need to make the most of our time and appreciate any moments we can squeeze in to be together. So we hit the road a little before noon and made a few stops along the way because in the great irony of finally having kids that are old enough to not have to make a lot of bathroom stops is that we are now at an age where we have to make several bathroom stops even when the kids aren’t with us.

Of course we also stopped for a DQ Blizzard and several truck stops that seemed to have an affinity for Native American apparel and trinkets. We resisted the urge to shop although we may regret not owning our very own tree truck made into a clock with feathers surrounding it like a Native American headdress.

We made it to Dallas and went to Jamie’s house to hang out until it was time to leave for her party. And we all agreed we were excited because it was at The Front Room which is where we went last month after my book signing and had a Croque Madame sandwich that was one of the best things we’d ever eaten.

This is Gulley, me, Kim, and Jamie before we left for the party.

Anyway, we laughed a lot and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves then headed back to the house where Jen and her family are staying while they are building a new house. I can’t even describe how nice it was except to say that we sat out on the back porch and it felt like we were at a resort somewhere. I think we all wanted to stay out there much longer than we were able since we all began falling asleep in our chairs.

Sadly, the next morning Gulley and I had to leave by 7:00 a.m. because she needed to be back in time for an awards ceremony at Jackson’s school by 2:00 p.m. and we wanted to allow plenty of time. And I’m so glad we did because we were about an hour outside of Dallas when traffic came to a complete standstill, like the kind of situation where people are walking outside of their cars trying to figure out what was going on. There had been some sort of shoot out on the freeway and a police chase ending in a crash, the knowledge of which was little to no consolation as we sat for TWO HOURS without moving and began to strategize how we could get her to San Antonio in time.

But, miraculously (and thanks to generous speed limits) we made it back with time to spare and she was able to make it to the ceremony. I picked up Will from school and got him dropped off and then picked up Caroline from school and got home and dyed her hair temporarily blue because she really wanted it for the last day of school and then we headed straight to her end of season soccer party where I was so happy for her when her coach named her player of the year.

She has worked so hard this year and I was so thrilled she got to see that her hard work paid off. Of course I tried to turn it into a teachable moment that she may or may not have listened to on the way home.

And then Thursday was the last day of school. She got out at noon and we eventually made our way to the pool where we hung out with friends until it closed down and then slept the sleep of angels knowing we didn’t have to be up at a certain time the next morning. Except I did because the AT&T people were coming to install our U-Verse because I went into the AT&T store last week to fix our cell phone plans and totally bought into the sales pitch.

This past weekend was full of trips to the pool, getting ready for our new community service, going to watch Jackson play baseball and watching Caroline play indoor soccer yesterday before going back to the baseball fields to watch Jackson on Sunday night.

All that to say, I’m envisioning a true day of nothing tomorrow. Complete with nothing and a side of nothing and then maybe in the afternoon we’ll do nothing.

Welcome, summer. Glad you’re here.
Fashion Friday: Edition school’s out for summer

Yes. It’s officially summer. I can barely contain my excitement and enthusiasm.

But, first, I have an important announcement for those of you who either attended our Community Worship Service last week or hope to attend in future weeks.

We are moving to a new location this Sunday. Same time, different place.

The thing about starting something like this is you have to be flexible and open to change. (Two qualities that are not my strong suit.) We knew from the beginning that we might need to find a different venue depending on size, logistics, etc. and so apparently that meant the second week into this thing.

Turner Street Productions is a really cool space. It’s at 8126 Broadway on the corner of Broadway and Flamingo, next to ReBar and across the street from Beto’s. (I realize this means nothing to those of you who don’t live here, so feel free to skim this part.)

So we’ll see how it works this week and go from there. We have joked that we may just become a flash mob church that pops up at random places. (But I seriously hope that’s not the case because see above about being flexible and open to change not being my strong suit.)

Anyway, we’d love to have you join us if you’re in the area and feel free to spread the word and bring a friend. It’s very casual, informal and just pretty much a no-frills church service with contemporary worship and a practical message.

Okay, so about it being summer. WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO.

We already made our first outing to the pool after school let out yesterday and spent an eternity waiting for a mediocre hamburger cooked by the teens working the pool grill. So, basically, we’re off to a brilliant start.

Now for the cute things I’ve found this week:

1. scalloped crochet poncho

This is so pretty and on sale for $59.95.

2. aeris silk peasant blouse

I tried this on a month or so ago and it is gorgeous. Even prettier than the picture. But I didn’t want to pay full price. Now it’s on sale for $69.95.

3. sabine maxi dress

Well. I need this in my life.

4. gap tencel jogger shorts

I bought these shorts a few weeks ago and they are the best. Flowy and comfortable and much cuter in person than this picture indicates. Gap is offering 30% off with code GOOD at checkout.

5. stripe foldover stripe skirt

I have a gray and white skirt similar to this that I bought last summer and have worn until it’s almost threadbare. So easy to just throw on with a tank or a tee and look cute.

6. rip curl viva mexico beach bag

Kind of a fun, bright tote or small pool bag for summer. Love the bright colors.

7. embroidered stitchtake dress

I saw this dress and thought it was so cute, but couldn’t figure out why they were calling it the Shittake dress. Is it that bad? Or is it related to mushrooms in some way?

But then I realized it says STITCHTAKE dress and that makes much more sense.

Bonus, Madewell is offering 25% off summer dresses and sandals with code YESPLEASE at checkout.

8. ocean front maxi dress

This just looks soft and comfortable and like a nice thing to wear to dinner at the beach. Maybe that’s why it’s called the oceanfront dress.

9. sundowner blouse

Love the colors and pattern of this top.

10. j.crew knit romper

This romper also comes in a striped pattern. It’s super soft and would be great as a swim cover up or as loungewear or even just to throw on and wear to the grocery store.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.
Big Boo Cast: Episode the early morning version

Sophie and I recorded a podcast early yesterday morning. I’d say more but I’m typing this on my phone.

You can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here on the blog.

Or, as always, you can subscribe on iTunes.
It’s June and it’s Tuesday…things I know for sure

Y’all.

I may have to declare a little bit of blog bankruptcy this week. It’s like this week heard that I said last week was crazy and started to feel insecure and thought, “I’LL SHOW YOU CRAZY” and now here I am trying to catch up.

So please forgive me for a quick catch up for now.

All you really need to know is by late Sunday afternoon my brain was so tired that I had a legitimate conversation about Potsie Weber from Happy Days making up that song to prove he didn’t cheat on his anatomy test.

Just in case you were born after 1990 or new to earth, here is what I’m talking about.

Potsie Weber. It was a simpler time.

Anyway, so many of you have emailed to ask about our first Community Worship Service and I’m sure at some point I’ll have so much more to say, but it was amazing. When I say it exceeded our expectations, I am not kidding. I feel like we expected to see familiar faces, but were blown away by seeing so many people we don’t really know walk through the doors. It’s so fun to see what God can do when you say yes and just follow his leading.

I think we thought maybe ten people might show up – normally I’d assume twelve but Mimi and Bops were out of town – but not only did people show up, we might need to find a larger venue at some point if it’s like the old Faberge shampoo commercial and they tell a friend and they tell a friend and so on and so on and so on.

What is wrong with my brain?

After our service on Sunday morning, P took Caroline to her soccer game and I came home and finished going over my notes because I was the keynote speaker at a Baccalaureate service for our high school. And by the time we were finished with Sunday, we all fell into bed where I didn’t sleep at all because I couldn’t turn my mind off.

Clearly it was too busy thinking about pumping up your blood and shampoo.

Then Monday turned out to be almost as hectic as I ran a million errands and tried to get laundry finished and everything else because Gulley and I are heading to Dallas on Tuesday morning (which is today now) because Jen is throwing a birthday party for our friend Jamie and we haven’t seen them in almost a month and are going through withdrawals after all the book release get togethers.

So that’s what’s happening here.

We’ll get back home on Wednesday and then Caroline’s last day of school is Thursday and she gets out at noon which means we are down to just two lunches. Really only one by the time you read this and if you’re paying attention you’ll realize I just packed my last lunch of the year because I won’t be here to pack Wednesday’s lunch.

And that feels like a win.

Almost like all those women who discovered Faberge shampoo and that time Potsie used his musical gifts to prove he wasn’t a cheater.
Fashion Friday: Edition three more lunches to pack

That’s what I’m telling myself. Three more lunches. Three more lunches. We’re on the downhill slide to summer.

And before we get to the fashion part of this post, just a quick reminder that this starts this Sunday. We are so excited and would love to have you if you’re in the area.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you can read the details here.

Now for the cute things I found this week:

1. lace scroll peasant top

I nearly showed this last week and then just ran out of room. But I think it’s so pretty and such a great soft blue color. And it’s on sale for $59.95.

2. pintuck peasant blouse

I have actually tried this on. It’s shorter in the front and longer in the back, but it’s a great top to wear if you want something that hits closer to your waist yet offers a little more coverage in the back. I think it would look really cute with the right skirt or a pair of shorts. And it’s on sale for $59.95.

3. most likely to succeed top in green

I’m all about the green these days. This would look great with just about any type of white jeans, pants, shorts, skirt you pair with it.

4. phara tassel lariat necklace

The other day my friend Meredith and I were texting about Kendra Scott jewelry and I told her I wear this necklace all the time. And it’s true. Of all the Kendra Scott things I have, this one is my favorite. I wear it at least four or five times a week.

5. lush roll tab shirt

I’m a little obsessed with this style of top because it’s cool and comfortable and doesn’t require ironing and comes in a ton of color options.

6. gap v-neck linen tee

This tee might be my favorite thing I’ve bought this summer. It seems a little bit dressier than a normal tee and is the perfect length. Not too long, not too short.

7. diamond daze maxi

How cute is this? And you know what the most important part of the description was for me? BRA-FRIENDLY. I don’t have the time or the inclination to deal with a strapless bra no matter how great it may be.

8. old navy cutout pattern swim coverup

Love this coverup and it also comes in black.

9. indiga swing dress

This dress is one of those things that would be so easy to throw on all summer long with a pair of sandals. Love the color.

10. old navy jersey circle skirt

These skirts at Old Navy come in several different color and pattern options and they’re a great price. You can pair them with a tee or a tank and a denim jacket if you need it. Very versatile.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.
So what are you watching?

I actually said this sentence to someone today: “I can’t wait for summer so I have time to catch up on all the shows waiting for me on my DVR right now.”

Honestly, I don’t know if that feels like a high or a low.

The truth is I’ve dropped so many shows in recent years that it won’t take me that long to watch what I’ve recorded. Sometimes I wonder if I need to give a show a few more episodes to redeem itself or get back to what it used to be – I’m looking at you Grey’s Anatomy – but then I feel so thankful for all the time I didn’t waste watching something when one of the main characters gets killed off and I’ve saved myself the grief.

Last fall I began watching The Good Wife and am midway through Season 4 right now. (No spoilers please even though I am aware that someone I love on the show is going to die because no information is sacred on the internet) And I’m sure it won’t take me long to catch up to the current episodes once summer gets here and I get into my full night owl ways and begin staying up until 2:00 a.m. every night.

So here’s my question. What T.V. series do you recommend? There isn’t much I love more than a good T.V. binge where I can watch twenty episodes of a show over the course of a week. Or maybe just two days. Don’t judge me.

I’d love to hear your recommendations. Right now I’m leaning towards watching Alias all over again from the beginning. And I’ve already seen all of Friday Night Lights, Downton Abbey, Mad Men, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars and Scandal. All of which I’d recommend watching if you haven’t already seen them.

See you tomorrow for Fashion Friday.