Happy Birthday to My Mom

**Note: I ran this last year to celebrate my mom's birthday. With the Great Blog Deletion of 2009, I lost it. But luckily, I had a printed copy.

So I am running it again this year. In celebration of my Mom's 82nd birthday.

Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you!

She's lived through The Great Depression and five wars.

She was a "working girl" for 56 years.

She raised three children over the course of 38 years. She had a son in college and a daughter in kindergarten in 1973.

We all three graduated from college - and paid for it with scholarships, grants and student loans. (Where there's a will, there's a way. She taught us that, too.) I think she would say it is a small miracle her daughter has a diploma to hang on the wall. It was touch-and-go more than once.

She has eight grandchildren (the oldest is 30 and the youngest is 3) and one great-grandchild who is 2 months old.

She is my role model as a working mom, and she was a single parent for most of my formative years. She worked hard and she worked every day. She had a full-time job and usually two part-time jobs. We never lacked for anything.

I always knew she did the best she could, and it was always more than enough for me.

I stayed out of trouble not because of what I thought might happen to me, but because I didn't want to do anything that would dishonor her. And I think my brothers would say the same thing.

Her first choice in discipline was the look and a firm, "Because I said so." If that didn't work, she got out The Stick. There was no need for anything further.

She was the first female school board member in my hometown, and the first female school board president.

A family friend used to say, "Your mother has an opinion about almost everything, and she's almost always right." I usually didn't appreciate that when I was growing up, but I sure do now!

She was always fashionable and very pretty. She wore Estee Lauder makeup, black suede boots with high heels, winter coats with fur collars, and lots of jewelry.

One day when she was about 75 she called me on the phone and said, "I think I've finally gotten a wrinkle."

She's still active and busy and sharp and witty!

We email almost daily. She gets her nails done a couple times a month. And she now has a Facebook account. I would love to believe a blog won't be far behind.

Oh, how I miss her...I wish I lived close enough so I could stop over for coffee on Saturday mornings and take little Adam with me so he could sit on her lap and give her a hug.

When I was seven my dad forgot to pick me up from Sunday School and I had to walk home on a cold winter's day. She wrapped me in a blanket and gave me M&Ms and held me on her lap. We had a good talk. I pretended I was cold long after I'd really warmed up because I wished I could sit on her lap forever.

Today I'd bring her an angel food cake & a vase filled with flowers. I'd kiss her on the cheek and take her out to lunch.

She's been my closest and most cherished sidekick longer than anyone else in my life.

I couldn't possibly ask for a better mom.

And I couldn't possibly love her more.

A Few of My Favorite Things - *Skincare*

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post about the Sephora Fairy, and I thought it would be fun to do another post to share a few of my favorite skin care products.

However, given the fact that I wash my face with Soft Soap (or whatever happens to be available), you may want to disregard anything I say because I am pretty sure the gods who are assigned to good facial care would not recommend Soft Soap. But I do not care. It is cheap, it smells good, and it comes in large refill bottles. So I can wax up my face for $1.29.


The Clarisonic brush I got from the Sephora Fairy is awesome. Well worth the price, in my opinion. I love it. And once I go through the "free" tubes of facial cleansers that come with it, you can bet I'll be lathering the old girl up with Soft Soap.

When I bought it, I didn't realize it was waterproof. You can use it in the shower - which I do almost daily - with no fear of ruining it. I wonder if it is toddler proof as well. That is the million dollar question.

I've been using St. Ives Apricot Scrub for years and years. Again - inexpensive and I love it. Walmart also has this in their own Equate brand, and I especially love the version with menthol (and it's about half the price). I also use this to scrub my legs before shaving.

Until I was 35 or 36, I had fairly oily skin. Now that I'm over the hill (ahem) my skin is much drier - even in the summer. But I still love the Clean and Clear products, which are really made for acne prone skin. I especially like their new facial moisturizer for DAY. It's light, smells good, and feels great on my skin.

The Skinceuticals line (sold at spas) is fantastic, but a bit pricey. My Facial Queen at Jolie in Buckhead (for any of my local readers) recommended the Vitamin C Serum to me about a year ago and I am so glad I started using it. It's for (ahem) more mature skin to combat wrinkles, crinkles and overall hagging and sagging. You need just a few drops and the bottle lasts nearly a year, so cost per use if fairly low. I put this on under my DAY lotion (above) and under my NIGHT cream (below).

I've only become a loyal fan of night creams within the past year or so. Before that, I thought they felt too heavy and too oily. But the Loreal Revita-Lift Night cream is neither. Loreal is made by Lancome, the best department store skin-care line in my opinion...and you basically get the same product for less money.

Finally, my beloved Yonka serum. I use this three or four times a week at night before my night cream. The smell is divine...I think that's one of the things that keeps me hooked. When I was pregnant and nauseous 24/7 for 9 months, this stuff helped calm me (and my tummy) down. Again, a bit pricey, but so worth it.


What products you love?

Besides Soft Soap, that is!

Soar!

Mama, push me and help me go way up high!

I was pushing my little boy on the swing at the park.

And then stand back and let me go so I can fly to the sky all by myself.

And in a nutshell, my sweet little boy, that's what a mama does.

So...

Have fun.

Swing high.

Throw your head back and soak in the sun.

And then fly, my son.

Fly high, fly strong and fly far.

SOAR!

And of Course I Wasn't Wearing Cute Shoes, Lipgloss or Even Earrings

Yesterday as I was paying for my Gap Wide-leg Lounge pants and Wide-leg Trouser Jeans, who should I spy but ClemonsonGirl and Lawyer's Wife (and their adorable boys).

Right there.

In The Gap.

In the flesh.

And they are as beautiful and as cute and as fun as I thought they'd be.

And they better be calling me for a Starbuck's chat fest because I didn't have nearly enough time to talk fashion, blogging and monogramming.

Feelin' the Love

A couple nights ago, after little Adam had his bath and was all good smellin' and cute, he snuggled in bed beside me to watch a couple episodes of Curious George while I checked email.

"You just snuggle up here beside your mama," I cooed, as I kissed his precious little head. "You're my sweet, sweet boy."

And my son put his darling little hand on my face and said, in his most angelic voice, "And you're my sweet, sweet mom. And you do not make me gag."

If I Suddenly Appear Bald, It's Because I've Pulled All the Hair Out of My Head

Conversation on the way home from toddler boy's school after his mama had worked a very long day:

You can have a piece of gum, but do not swallow it.

Why do you say "Do not swallow it?"

Because gum is not meant to be swallowed. It's not good for your tummy when you swallow gum. If you swallow that piece, you're not getting any more.

But I chew it and dat's why I swallow it.

You can chew things without swallowing them. Not everything is meant to be swallowed.

Like my food? Do I have to swallow dat?

Yes. You swallow food. That's how your body gets the energy it needs so you can grow up to play baseball and football.

Den what do I do wiff my gum if I only chew it?

You spit it out when you're done chewing it.

OK! I'm done.

BUT NOT RIGHT NOW! Keep chewing! If you spit it out on the floor it's big trouble little mister.

{silence from the back seat} Mama thinking she'd really made her point.

Will dat help me be good in football now, Mom?

Did you swallow it?

Yes. Can I have a-nudder piece. It tasted so good!

About Face

Father New Year dropped a box from Sephora on my doorstep the other day. Apparently he thinks I needed to pump up my skin care routine for 2009.

At least these little goodies might make it kinda fun...

I've been reading rave reviews about the Clarsonic Skin Care System so I decided to try it. It came with 3 sample size cleansers for various skin types. So far, so good. I love it.

For some reason possibly because I have not had more than 3 consecutive hours of sleep since 2004 due to various and sundry small children and other things that go bump in the night I have dark circles under my eyes. I conceal - oh how I spackle and layer - but it seems I never look fully rested.

My fabulous facialist (Amy at Jolie The Day Spa in Buckhead for my local readers) suggested Shiseido's brightening eye treatment. I'll try anything... And I'll let you know if it makes me look like I get 10 hours of beauty rest a night. Now that would be a miracle!

I love Dior's Show mascara, so when I heard there was a new Dior lengthening mascara called "Iconic", I was in. But sadly, I am now out. I don't like the brush.... it's one of those plastic skinny thingies. I like soft fuller brushes. So, this does not rank 5 stars. Sorry Dior.

And finally, a little Amazing Grace hot salt scrub by Philosophy.
A perfect way to end the day.

No Snow Required

I thought this was worth posting given that many of you are currently up to your armpits in snow and shivering in very ccccccold temps.

Here's how we have a little sledding fun in the South.

No coats, gloves, hats, boots or snow required.

Stay warm everyone!

**Swoon**

Will make even the yuckiest mud puddle look cute.

On sale now at JCrew (in case you were wondering!).

Yum!

Since this time of year sees lots of people vowing to take off a few pounds and inches - and high protein / low carb is the best way to reach your goal - pick up a box of Zone Perfect Dark Chocolate Bars.

12 grams of protein and rich in antioxidants (vitamins C & E)

Best of all, they taste great.

(Also available in Dark Chocolate Almond and Dark Chocolate Strawberry).

I'm Baaaack!

Well, not all of me....my blog is still *ka-put*, but it's onward and upward. I am still being positive and hoping my original blog can be restored, but until then, I'll start where I left off.

Thank you to all of you for your support, comments, suggestions, links and even posting about my dilemma on your own blogs. You are all wonderful and so very special to me.

Thanks, too, to my awesome blog designer Jen. (see her info at the bottom of my sidebar). She came to my rescue without a moment's hesitation to restore my blog design, answer my silly questions, quell my panic and get things looking pretty again. Thank you, Jen!

If you're so inclined to "follow" me again (at the top of my sidebar), I'd love it. I lost all my "followers" in the deletion. However, I do think I am still showing as "following" on all of the blogs I was linked to previously.

Again, thanks so much to each of you!

Oh! No!

I accidentally deleted my entire blog this morning.

All those words, posts, memories and photos GONE in a flash.

I am working with blogger to (hopefully!) recover my original blog.

I appreciate your loyalty and friendship so very much.

I hope to be back up and running very soon.

~Jill

Anniversary Recap

Thank you for all the sweet anniversary wishes. Doug and I had a great night out last night (and we were home well before the ball dropped!)

I wore the dress my wonderful husband bought me for Christmas.

The staff at the Capitol Grille was amazing. They remembered this was the third time we've celebrated our anniversary there. And set a special table for us overlooking the Atlanta skyline...complete with a rose and rose petals.

Happy New Year to you all!

Anniversary Celebration

Thank you for all the sweet anniversary wishes. Doug and I had a great night out last night (and we were home well before the ball dropped!)

I wore the dress my wonderful husband bought me for Christmas.

The staff at the Capital Grille was amazing. They remembered this was the third time we've celebrated our anniversary there. And set a special table for us overlooking the Atlanta skyline...complete with a rose and rose petals.

Happy New Year to you all!