Too Cool For School...

Worn to school Wednesday, May 29...Day 2

 Skirt-Express/Top-H&M/Sandals-Charles David/Jewelry-F21, Vince Camuto, Black Sheep

Well, I was sufficiently overwhelmed after my first day of school.  First off, 9am-3pm is a long day in one class, second, I have not done this taking notes and studying thing in over a decade...lastly when they explained to us all that we would be doing in the next ten weeks and the the rules and such, I thought my head was going to explode!!

After today...day 2...I feel much better.  When we actually got up and did active learning, I discovered that I was really enjoying myself and the material.  I also realized that I was going to be that person in the class who always tried to answer questions, help others and volunteer.  I think I might be overcompensating since it had been so long since I was in school and much older than 90% of the class...trying to prove to myself that I did the right thing by going back...I also think it is the mom in me that wants to help the other students... I cannot wait till we have clinicals and get to know the patients and the doctors!

I am thinking this school thing is going to be amazing!!

2 more days until the Avon 2-day breast cancer walk.  My toe is feeling better...sore after my training walks, but not sore enough to stop me...  After all this preparation and anticipation, I am excited for the walk to start...7am Saturday morning...Wish me luck!

Letting Nature Take Its Course...

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of photographing the bar mitzvah of a family friend.  The ceremony and the party were at The Grove. This National Historic Landmark is 123 acres of prairie land and  nature trails...discovered by John Kennicott in 1836...anchored by the Kennicott House and the beautiful Redford Estate, which is where the bar mitzvah was held.  The Grove holds a special place in my childhood...growing up, every year starting in kindergarten, our class took a field Trip to the Grove.  I remember drawing pictures in the one room school house, dipping our own candles  in the log cabin and getting lost amongst the trees and trails...

Just a peek of the setting for the festivities.  After the ceremony and lunch, everyone hung out outside, played bags, badminton and explored.

This aorable little boy kept followiing me around and smiling whenever he saw the camera...
I am so happy with the way the rest of the photos turned out!  

I knew it was going to be a long day on my feet, so I opted for some new comfy sandals, dress and a blazer.

 Dress-Sharang via Fox's/Blazer-Gap/Shoes-Charles David via Nordstrom's/Jewelry-Vince Camuto, House of Gemmes, 

Old Navy, Francesca's

These sandals are my newest purchase. The Nordstrom's annual women and girls sale always has some great finds and this year was no different.  I love the rope and gold detailing on the back, the gold toe strap, and of course the fact that they are very comfortable on my big blue toe!

Well, tomorrow is the first day of school.  I feel like a little girl with butterflies in my stomach, trying to decide what to wear, packing my bag with my notebook, laptop and lunch.  Yes, I will be that nerd that is all dressed up. early for class full of coffee and excited to get started.

The future is now...

Buck Up Young Soldier...

 

Pants-Gap/Sweater-Old Navy/Shoes-Sam&Libby Target/Jewlery-Black Sheep, Old Navy, Francesca's

Just a casual outfit for Wednesday.  Ran errands then hit up the Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale...they always have great deals on kids shoes.  Alex walked out with two pairs of shoes...his feet grew a whole size since fall!  Of course, I had to get a new pair of shoes too.  I actually needed them, since my blue toe can only be shoved into open toed, non thong sandals... plus, I cannot wear these gold ones every day!! There was a ton of good stuff on sale...I had to force myself to stay away from the jewelry!

Speaking of said broken toe...still hurts!  I have decided that tomorrow I am going to start working out and finish up my training for the walk...only 9 more days.  I will start with weights and abs tomorrow...that does not require gym shoes.  Then this weekend, I am am going to do two short training walks to see how the toe feels in my gym shoes...my toe is throbbing just thinking about it.  But, it has to be done...I am committed to the Avon 2-day walk...blue toe or not!

Well That Sucks...

Friday started out great. Alex slept at Nana's house so I could go to Jack's school musical.  I loved watching him sing up on stage with his friends, having such a good time!  Then, since I wasn't supposed to pick up Alex until 4, I had rest of the day to myself. 
I should have known the promise of a peaceful, relaxing day was too good too be true.
First, I get to H&M and go to ring up my purchase (green lace t-shirt) and my debit card was declined.  I know I had money in there, so I had the sales lady try 3 times to no avail.  Then I remembered that I received a new debit card from in the mail last week and I figured my current one expired at the end of the month, so I didn't hurry and put it in my wallet...mistake! Then I went to LOFT to see if the dress I wanted was on sale...yes it was, but not in my size...not like I had anyway to pay for it...

On a positive note...my outfit...

Dress, Belt-Old Navy/Shoes-Steve Madden/Jewelry-GoodDealz, Fox's, Nordstroms

And then it all came crashing down...

I was on the way back to my house, looking forward to eating the delicious black bean burrito I had in the passenger seat.   Then, out of nowhere, a car turns left in front of me and hits me head on and towards the left...My car go into oncoming traffic and the momentum sends it over the curb and into the guard rail.  The air bag went off and as soon as the car stopped moving, I started freaking out! I must have been a sight...lady in a bright pink dress, standing in the middle of the street, crying.  There was a witness that calmed me down and I called my husband to help me with all the technical stuff that comes with accidents and insurance.  My toe started hurting and while I was looked over by the paramedics, I declined to go to the emergency room.  If it wasn't for my husband, I am not sure I would have been able to deal. He took me home and began the process of calling the insurance company and getting me a rental car.  He also insisted that  I go to the doc and get myself checked out since my toe was still hurting, bruises on my lap were starting to appear and I was very sore.

Fast forward a few hours and the x-ray at urgent care confirms...BROKEN TOE.  Now a broken toe would not have been as big of a deal if I didn't have a 39 mile walk in two weeks!!!  SO, now my blue big toe is taped to my second toe and throbbing.  I woke up the next morning and boy was I sore...my neck and back.  Plus, I had big blue bruises where the seat belt crossed my lap!

Since the break was towards the front of the toe, no closed toe shoes for at least a week...that includes my gym shoes for training for the walk!  So, I am going to have to take some time off my feet, but I am still doing the walk...I trained, I fund raised...I am going to walk!!!

Good thing I just bought these sandals at Target...one of the few open toed, no strap between the toes sandals I have, so get used to seeing these for a while.  I might just have to use this as an excuse to go sandal shopping.

 

All in all, Friday was not very good to me.  But the kids were not in the car, besides my toe, I am still in one piece and the car is just a hunk of metal and can be replaced..well, it will definitely it will have to be, we just found out it was totaled...

Four Letter Word...

Fear... It is what drives me...forces me to sleep at night and kicks my ass out of bed every morning.
I sit paralyzed in fear...wondering if today is the day...when it all comes crashing down.  I fear failure so intensely that I do not even bother trying things that I know I cannot succeed at...I missed out on so much being smothered by fear...I spent so many years allowing the fear win, I am not sure I know how to win...
The closer I get to starting school, the more I wonder if I should quit before it starts...just stay home with the boys...simple, no risks... I am almost 37, and just starting a new career...a new chapter in my life...it is risky...scary...big... It is not just fear of failure, it's fear of disappointing others...them not believing that I could even do it in the first place, a fear of tomorrow, a fear of standing up, just to fall flat on my face.
I have spent my life being ruled by fear. But, for the first time in a long while, I am trying not to let the fear keep me from moving forward...choking the life out of me. I am trying to kick fear in the ass...show it who is boss. I want to wake up in the morning and push myself to be fearless...

The Doctor Has Two Faces...

Today was one of those days when I am pretty sure I have lost my brain...if you happen to find it somewhere, please return it to me asap...I might need it soon, it is kind of important...

Today's outfit for running errands, carpool, the park and waiting impatiently for my car to be repaired...the latter being an epic fail...

 These fabulous little earrings...perfect for the everyday.  Look closely...they are screws...so fun!!

My mother bought me this cute little bracelet for Mother's day.  

I also got a brown one with a blue stone.

These Gap printed skinnies are the official uniform of Not Just Mom...

Worn the last time I actually had somewhere "business-ey" to go...most of my work is done on the computer, in my home office...the only person there I need to impress is 4 and likes to only wear 

"soft pants"...

ok...I hear little boys fighting over the Wii in the basement...off to play referee...good night!

Are You My Mummy??

Every Mother's day, my mom and I do the Susan Komen 5k walk for Breast Cancer in Grant Park.  It is an easy walk, but such a nice way to spend time just me and my mom. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.  Being a mom is the hardest job in the world, but I would not trade it for anything else (no matter how crazy my boys are)
Thanks to mom for making me the mom I am today, being a great Nana and a great friend!

Bad Wolf...

I am good enough, smart enough and gosh darn it, people like me...

Pants-Gap/Top-LOFT/Shoes-Kenneth Cole/Jewelry-F21, Nordstrom's, Limited/Bag-London Fog via TJ Maxx

Nothing very exciting to say about this outfit... I was going to wear a skirt today, since the weather was beautiful, but forgot to shave my legs.  So, I decided a bright pair of pants would be perfect.  On the way out the door, I tossed on this big necklace to balance out the trousers and t-shirt I was styling!

Last week, a fellow mother called me a "go getter"...what ever that means...and at first, I was insulted, then I just blew it off.  Then today, my very cool blog/instagram friend Ellie (check out her blog, she rocks), noted that I inspire her.  I am always on the go, doing what needs to be done...  I was truly honored for anyone to be inspired by me...I just see myself as a walking "hot mess", especially since as she texted me, I was being told my car was not driveable, the needed part would not be in until Monday and I had to get a rental car unless I wanted to sleep at the car place until then...  At first, I just tried to find reasons she was wrong and I was just a lazy, unsophisticated, mess of a person...why is it so hard for me to believe that I might just be good at something...maybe even a few things... Every once and a while I start to think I might just have my shit together, and I plan to keep reminding myself of that...thanks Ellie!!

As for the "go getter" maybe she meant that as a compliment...I am a mom of two, part time photographer, walking the 2-day, going back to school...wow, guess I am a "go getter"...in a good way!

Speaking of the Avon 2-Day walk for Breast Cancer...I am getting closer to my fundraising goal of $1,800, but I could still use some help...any little bit goes along way.  

Check out my fundraising page!

Today's inspiration...

May The Force Be With You...

Saturday was Star Wars night at the Kane County Cougars game...the minor league affiliate for the Chicago Cubs.  I have taken the boys for the last two years...

The nights festivities via instagram...

 The boys got to parade around the field in their costumes

 (Jack thinks he is too old to play dress-up)

 The boys and Chewbaca (Alex was not having a very good day...)

 My favorite storm trooper

 Me...just casual boyfriend jeans, t-shirt and sequin Toms for a day at the ballpark

 

Best Nachos Ever!!!! Rice, beans, tomatoes, onions, sour cream and nacho cheese...Oh my...

The boys, me, the hubby and Papa has a great time.  Before the game they marched in a costume parade around the field, took pictures with all their favorite Star Wars characters... Alex lost sight of us during the photos and kind of freaked out...that's why he looks a bit panicked!  In between innings, their were Star Wars games and then Star Wars themed fireworks after. 

So many kids in costumes with guns and light sabers...ahhhh!

Bigger On The Inside

Just more of the same running around being mom going on here...

Pants-Gap/T-shirt-Old Navy/Loafers-Kenneth Cole/Jacket-JCrew/Jewelry-F21, Black Sheep

Polkadotts, studs and circles all over. Yes, another pair of Gap printed skimmmers...but they were on ultra sale...$19. I bought the loafers during my attempt at retail therapy via the outlet mall last week.  The therapy didn't work...I was still annoyed at the world, but now I had some new shoes to kick around in...comfy and the studs make me feel tough!

 

 

 Pants-Wit & Wisdom/Top-LOFT/Flats-Naughty Monkey/Jewelry-Target, Macy's, JCrew

I styled up the red jeans for crazy Tuesday with Alex.  There was a "paperwork issue" with the summer program I start at the end of the month, so we had to run around the campus getting signatures all afternoon.  Alex was really excited to see where mom was going to go to school...and when he realized that I was going to have homework, he was thrilled.  He informed me that I had to do my homework every night with no help...since I was the mom...and I could not practice my shots on him...only on his brother...ha!!