{the blog}

big momma thanks you

 

Y'all make me feel good.  I might just keep blogging forever if you nice people promise to keep leaving kind comments.  I appreciate it greatly.  I'm having a long, hard day today and I needed the encouragement.  About the dress (above) it is from MOTHERHOOD MATERNITY.  We have an outlet locally, but here's a LINK to the dress I'm wearing above... it's super comfy and not too pricey.  It's not that "maternity looking" so I might be able to pull it off post-baby, if I don't wear it out first.  I ordered a small... which is true to my regular size. 

Nantucket [round 1]

From Wareham (the Factory Five car place) we headed to Hyannis where we jumped on the high-speed ferry to Nantucket.  I should mention though... while in Hyannis we had lunch at Box Lunch - it was soo good we stopped in again on our way back through town. 

The Nantucket portion of the trip was like living in a fairy tale.  There is no other way to explain it.  Picture yourself on a movie set where everything is historic, quaint and beautiful... that's Nantucket. 

Now I was apprehensive... let me be honest.  I was worried everyone would be so snotty we'd look and feel like a couple of white-trash rednecks.  I don't own any seersucker or Vineyard Vines and my husband falls on the more sophisticated end of 'redneck'.  Let's face it... we probably weren't going to fit in.  But we were going.  I had booked the room and I wanted to see Nantucket with my own two eyes.

 

We booked this room about a month ago.  The Marigold Room at the Summer House Inn on Fair Street.  (Actually Annmarie did the research for me and picked the place... she had been before.)  A quaint little B&B near the heart of downtown.  The bathroom wasn't that great, but I'm no diva and can pretty much make due anywhere.  The place was really delightful.  It was my first B&B experience and it was a great one.  We ate breakfast here in the mornings... little tables for 2 lined up in a row...  

  

Outside our room was a sitting area... there's my baby's daddy...

 

The back gardens... heavenly...

 

 

Can you stand it?  I couldn't.

 

The front of the place looks like this... (and I look like this...)

 

Self timers on cameras are the best invention ever... little crooked, but captured...

 

We dined next door at Figs (29 Fair Street), there is a Figs in Boston, which I had eaten at last time I was in town... it was delicious.

 

I was proven very wrong while in Nantucket... everyone was very friendly and didn't matter what we had on or how we talked.  Not that we didn't hear "where are you from" a few times. 

We spent a lot of time admiring architecture and gardens...

 

 

 

"Oh my gosh at the hydrangeas!" and "Oh my gosh, stop the car, the roses!" probably came out of my mouth a thousand times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walked my arse off.  I seriously had to put my foot down.  I thought for a moment that my right foot might actually be broken.  We laid down about 15 miles on foot in Boston the day before and this pregnant woman could take it no more.  I put on my tennies and tried to rent a bicycle.  I guess I didn't realize how pregnant I really am... they laughed at me at the rental shop.  When I inquired about a bike they said "for you?"... with a smirk.  Then I asked about a scooter "can't rent those to pregnant people either".  Dang.  I don't feel that pregnant, but I'm beyond the point of covering it up anymore.  So we rented a Jeep.

But just for the dorky factor I walked around in my tennis shoes, running shorts and the only long sleeved shirt that fits me. (Made Chance buy a long sleeved tee (green thing I'm holding)... because I don't know that running shorts and button down dress shirt is really a good look?)

 

More Nantucket pictures coming up soon!!!

intermission in Wareham, MA

This post is dedicated to my loving husband.

Marriage is give and take.  If I wanted Chance to sit and wait while I tried on dresses I knew I'd have to compromise at some point on this trip.

I think I've mentioned before that Chance has a thing for cars.  When he turned 15 he was given his mom's 1965 Ford Mustang.  He drove it (as his main car) for 10 years.  He rebuilt the engine (more than once)... it is a passion for him.  It's in the garage now and gets driven on weekends.  It is his baby (until the real baby arrives anyway).  I don't want to toot his horn too much, but the man knows cars.  He can fix and rebuild most anything.

His dream car is a Shelby Cobra, but the price tag makes it unattainable.  If you know nothing about cars (I didnt before we started dating), there are manufacturers who make "kits" where you can build yourself a replica of cars like the Shelby Cobra.  In 1995 Chance contacted Factory Five (one such manufacturer of a "kit car")... and ever since has dreamt of visiting their factory.  Well when I mentioned Boston a few months ago he went bananas.  He knew something I didn't.  Wareham, Massachusetts (an hour from Boston- between Boston and Nantucket) is the home of Factory Five.

 

So while we toured the factory he listened intently as I took a ton of pictures.  I have to admit... I didn't expect to be impressed... I kinda thought I'd just sit in the car and wait on him.  I was so wrong.  This place was amazing.  I was tempted to allow him to buy the kit while we were there.  We have another car to sell first... 1969 red Ford Bronco, anyone? And a baby to birth, then he has my permission to get the kit.  Afterall, he did finally get rid of his dirtbike. 

 

At the end of our factory tour the owner of the company came in and offered a ride to anyone who wanted to go.  You would have thought Chance had died and gone to heaven.  Now listen, this is a race car... it's very fast.  I don't know all the lingo, but it's tight- you can slam the doors and it can turn on a dime and takes off really fast.  I was fearful.  I asked the nice man to please bring my husband back alive.  He complied.

 

They buckled their racing harnesses and took off.

 

And they came back in one piece.  But don't think while they were gone I didn't notice all those tire tracks from someone doing donuts in front of the building. 

This was our "intermission" on our way to Nantucket... Nantucket is next. 

Boston [round one]

 

I've been very sentimental about these dwindling weeks of being just a married couple.  Chance and I will be married 3 years in October, been together for more than 5 years.  We've made the most of our childless years, foot-loose and fancy-free.  I'm not gonna lie, it has been a lot of fun.  Easy for me to paint a pretty picture, but we've had our downs too.  Nonetheless, I'm a little scared about it (life as a family of 2) coming to an end.  I know life is just beginning with this new baby, but there is also some fear, that life as we know it will never be the same.  That's what everyone says anyway.

 

So when that pregnancy test turned up positive back in January... I knew I had to plan a last hurrah for mid-summer.  We live at the beach... so when deciding (I'm the travel agent in our family) where to go for this last hurrah, I decided to go back to Boston with a jaunt to Nantucket thrown in the mix.  May not sound appealing to you, but I love the Northeast and Chance had not been to Boston and I knew he would like it.  Our adventure away was just what the doctor ordered. 

It's very nice when you can trade design services for a precious little antique cape cod house and a Volvo to scoot around town in.  The home belongs to Annmarie's sister and is not short on details... like fabulous wallpaper and a perfect-color-gray door with a seashell door knocker. Sometimes things just fall into place perfectly... you often fail to notice those times, at least I do.  I always seem to harp on the misfortune... this time good fortune was not dismissed.  It was thoroughly enjoyed.

 

And don't you know Annmarie had the fridge stocked and snacks in a picnic basket when we arrived.  I don't know anything about this place- Hornstra's Dairy Farm... but that ain't milk.  That's lemonade... and they deliver it to your doorstep.  If someone delivered milk to my doorstep here in Florida, it'd be cottage cheese by the time I got home from work.  That lemonade was to die for!!!  Alright, I'm getting distracted...

 

We spent our first couple of days in Beantown.  The tall ships were in town... so we took the boat from Hingham (where the afore mentioned antique house is planted) to Boston.  It was a beautiful day.  The boats were amazing.  From here we walked, walked, walked, walked, and shopped a little.  I bought a few things for the nursery and a dress for an upcoming baby shower.  After a delicious lunch at Parish Cafe, we met up with my friend Blair... I visited her last time I was in Boston, you may recall.  Her home is right off the infamous Newbury and Boylston Streets... heart of the shopping district.  Could be dangerous, but luckily in the mix with the high-end boutiques are a hand-full of great high-end consignment stores.  I didn't check them out, with this growing waistline it would have been rather depressing.  So... after visiting at Blair's place, resting my tired feet and catching up on life we headed to Ben & Jerry's.  Black Raspberry Frozen Yogurt (me) and Cake Batter (Blair), Chance took the high road and got a smoothie (see it in the picture?).

 

These are her "girls" Maple and Penny.  Golden Retreivers melt my heart.  We had a great couple hours of hilarious conversation and some dog-lovin' time too.

 

After more walking I finally put my foot down and hailed a cab.  We caught the boat back to Hingham right at sunset.  It was beautiful.  If only you could feel the weather in these photographs.  Zero humidity.  Heaven considering where I come from.

 

I know those of you who rely on public transportation on a daily basis get annoyed with it.  I've been a subway-rider in my professional lifetime and it sucks.  But public transportation by boat (in the summer) is almost a luxury.  What a way to unwind as you leave work everyday.  I know, I know... I'll come back in January and give it another run, I'm sure I'll have a new opinion.  

 

I'm ashamed to say we did nothing educational, next time we'll hit the museums and do a historic tour.  But suffice to say, it was a wonderful day.    

 

Round Two coming up soon, with some coverage on a sweet little ride and Nantucket.

please don't miss this : heartstrings and fine little things

Life is really precious.  That's what I took away from my sister's blog today.

My twin sister is still at my parents farm... she went for the 4th of July and is staying with my mom until mid-week next week.  Let's be honest, I'm jealous.  They are enjoying pure and simple mid-western life at its finest.  I haven't been home for an extended amount of time since high school... summer jobs, summer school, college, career... those all get in the way of doing the things you really want to do.  Such is life, huh?   

This past Sunday she and my mother went to an auction.  I love an auction.  Last time I went to one though I accidentally bid against myself... Darby was with me, we laughed uncontrollably.  If the auctioneer hadn't been talking so fast I wouldn't have made such a dumb mistake.  I've always wondered if there is a school or formal training for auctioneers?  Or some sort of license they have to have?  

Today in Darby's blog she tells the tale of what she learned during those few hours as she shuffled around Viola "May" Johnson's home.  I'm still crying thinking about it.  The post is a must read... so please go check it out- HERE... it's pretty long, but well-worth reading. 

sneak peek :: Annmarie's kitchen remodel is finished

 

 

 

Annmarie's kitchen is complete.  You know while I was in Boston I spent some quality time with this crazy woman.  Mother of 4 who juggles it all.  More energy than anyone I know.  She's amazing and executed her kitchen design perfectly!  Okay, we emailed a few million times, but ultimately she ran the show.  I couldn't be more proud. 

She's gathering "befores" for me... obviously these "afters" don't do it justice, you gotta see the befores.  Working on it.  Oh how I wish you could all see it first hand. 

Chalkboard paint? Check. 

Unlacquered brass cabinet pulls? Check.

Polished nickel bridge faucet? Check.

Herringbone tile?  Check.

Wide plank pine floors to match the dining room? Check.

Nautical light fixtures from an old ship? Check.

More on this subject later... but I couldn't resist giving you a sneak peek.

Wheels Up

I usually travel with a good book.  I wrapped up this one before the plane ever took off. So I grabbed Sky magazine out of the seat pocket in front of me and was shown everything I didn't have to make my weekend in Nantucket better.  Nonetheless, too cute not to share...

 

image from Sky Magazine

Last night I started editting the 800+ pictures that I took while we were away... it might take a couple of posts to share the good ones.  I don't want to bore anyone to death. 

back in the saddle

I've left you hanging for a couple of weeks and I apologize... I have been burning the candle at both ends AND just got back from a little vaction with my husband.  I've been on the go a lot lately and am about to plant my feet firmly in this office so I can get ahead in order to get away (with peace of mind) once the baby comes.  My sweet intern Julie is leaving me sooner than I anticipated due to her brother's wedding, sorority rush, and an architecture internship in Birmingham that is snatching her out from under me... I could cry.  Friday will be her last day.  Feel free to pray for me... she has been a total Godsend and the remainder of this summer and remainder of this pregnancy without her is not something I'm looking forward to.

Chance and I just returned from Boston and Nantucket... but first...

a quick flashback: Independence Day.  We spent 24 hours in the car over a 5 day period and I managed to survive.  We headed north, waaaay north to Southern Illinois to spend the holiday with my family at my parents farm.  It seems like ages ago now, but it was wonderful.  Here are some pictures.      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More from me later... promise. 

full heart, tired body

Mornin' friends.  The coffee is brewin' for the first time in about 6 months... 1/2 caf' coffee of course... this morning I need a little pep in my step. 

I returned from Memphis last night at 10:45... that's late for the baby-momma.  The little girl enjoyed the flight, despite the inappropriate and very awkward conversation with the man I sat beside.  He interrupted my reading {Same Kind of Different As Me} to tell me he could see the baby moving through my dress... which wouldn't have been half as weird A) had the baby actually been moving or B) had it been appropriate for a grown man to be staring at my stomach.  Hmm.  He proceeded to tell me his son was almost a daddy a few weeks ago but luckily it didn't work out.  I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that one.  There are some strange birds out there.

I headed off to Memphis to meet some wonderful new clients.  Together we are about to embark on a major renovation of a very cool house that is 100 years old.  It's going to be a fun one!  I love the challenge of a renovation... the unforeseen, the curveballs, the not-knowing-what-you-are-going-to-find-factor.

The benefit of a project in Memphis is the added bonus of old college friends now calling Memphis home.  I passed on the hotel-offer from my clients and requested to shack up with my dear friend Laurin... she has a precious (new-to-her) quaint little house and I knew the accommodations and company would be better than any 5-star hotel. 

When I arrived Laurin had dinner planned with 4 other college friends.  In my book there is nothing, I repeat... NOTHING, like college friends (they are really right up there on the list with family).  There is something about being able to pick up where you left off as if you were just living in the dorm together yesterday.  We shared a lot of laughs, a lot of memories (some which gladly can be forgotten, Laurin!) and a lot of good times.  It really filled my heart to the brim to be with those girls (and Chris too!)... hope to see you again very soon!

 

Yours Truly, Kristen, Laurin, and Lindsey (due 10 days before me)

After dinner we hit up TCBY.  We could have sat there til 2am, but it was obvious at 10:15 that the employees probably wanted to close up shop.  Since I was about 10 years old I have always ordered the same thing at TCBY "kiddie cup of chocolate with gummi bears"... this is not a weird pregnancy thing, it is what I have always loved.  Something about the ice cream making the gummi bears chewier?  Not sure... but I like it.

 

After some serious catching up over frozen yogurt, we headed home to Laurin's place. Where I was greeted with fresh flowers on my bedside table and a hilarious collage of pictures from college.

 

Her house is impeccable.  Reminds me that I should edit my own home more often.  The roses in mint julep cups were good for my soul. 

 

She has just recently renovated her kitchen.  Her inset cabinets and honed travertine countertops are so perfect... do you spy a Panera bag on the counter?  Of course she had fresh bagels!

 

I tried to photograph her darling cafe curtains, but too much light was coming through the windows, so I finally gave up... and photographed her newly reupholstered chair.

 

 

Memphis friends, thanks for the hospitality!!!! 

I'm leaving again in less than 24 hours for an eleven hour drive to my parents farm... where we will spend the 4th of July.  Doctor wants me to wear support hose and get up every hour and stretch.  Hello?  That sounds down-right delightful.  Dad has threatened to disown me if I don't go home... so I guess we'll make the trek.  When I return next week I have 48 hours of downtime before the next big adventure.  "Downtime" is a poor choice of words... it'll be more like 48 hours of madness before we hit the road again.  More on that later.  Can you tell I'm trying to squeeze a lot into these next 10 weeks of freedom before the baby comes?  

I started this post at 6am, but since I've spent the morning repairing a modem and now have 100+ emails in my inbox as a result.  If you have emailed me in the last couple of weeks and not yet gotten a response... I'm workin' on it. 

The Nursery Diaries :: Chapter 3

We had a very full weekend.  Lots of fun times with overnight guests, family, and friends.  A boat ride, a little beach, little pool, a lot of food, and some ice cream.  And in the nursery department: crib and chair assembly.  Roman shade install.  All crib linens and draperies measured for and designed, fabrics pre-washed, ironed and ready to send out to seamstress. 

As I noted yesterday the chair doesn't rock... I know what you are thinking- strike 2 on the nursery.  (Strike 1 being the paint mistake I noted in Chapter 1.)  If you knew what I'm juggling right now you'd wonder how I even find time to breathe... much less work on something other than 'work'.  For those of you who want to revel in my error (ha!)... I've attached a photo of the chair, painted and assembled.  Thing is, it looks great.  Love the look actually, just not functional... if you want to rock.  The terriers like it.  

The painters brought back the crib and the chair at 8:00 sharp on Saturday morning.  These painters are the best.  I've worked with a lot of painters, but Bobby & Brian are the best ever.  If you are local and need a painter - email me - I'll give you their info.  They refused to let us pay them for painting.  They painted the crib, the chair, and the walls of the nursery and attached bathroom... for free.  Thank you Lord again for generous people!  And get this... they are hilarious.  I'm sure 2 men think a gold crib is a little weird... I don't blame them.  But they went to Wal-mart and bought a pair of baby shoes and painted them gold too, as a gift for the baby.  I'm not sure if it was meant to be funny, but I have never laughed so hard in all my life.  I told them they were very "Michael Jackson-ish" and that I loved them. 

 

They'll be perfectly hilarious on the bookshelf!

    

Daddy assembled the crib... I don't know what I'd do without a husband who loves to create, build, assemble, design, etc.  We started early Saturday morning before our company arrived.

 

While Daddy worked on the crib, Mommy assembled the Ikea chair.  It will stay put in the nursery until the new one arrives.  I do love the pique cushion covers that are on it... originally planned to cover them, but they are nice.  Here's the new swivel glider chair that's coming from Lee.  It is slipcovered in a washable fabric that is the same color as the walls (not the white shown below).  I'm still humbled and blown away by the generosity of such a gift.     

 

I was going to show you other fabrics... but I forgot to photograph them... so I'll save that for next chapter.