Amanda

December 9, 2017

History was made on December 9, 1986 when a sweet baby girl came into the world!

She is my second born and I loved her the second I saw her…

Amanda Kristine Starling

arrived on a Tuesday at 6:06 PM weighing in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.

It was in this stocking that I brought my Christmas baby home with me on the following day.

Her sister, Stephanie took to her right away…

mostly.

And they have been best friends ever since.

Amanda is my “middle child” whom I recognized in the post National Middle Child Day. And as mentioned in that post, SHE IS an adventurer.

With each passing year, there was something new she wanted to try.

For example…

there was dance

then tee ball

baton

basketball

then piano lessons,

and running

traveling

Although Amanda has an extremely easy going personality, rarely showing excitement, she has always taken advantage of every opportunity to try something new.

She has just about done it all!

Amanda is a smart girl and one of the most self-motivated people I know.

It was Amanda that encouraged our homeschooling experience and accelerated into ninth grade school work with her older sister, so her teacher, aka Mom, would only need to manage one grade level.

Amanda graduated from high school as she was on the brink of earning her AA degree.

And went on to earn a Master’s degree… with honors.

Daughter, Granddaughter, Sister, Niece, Cousin, Aunt, Friend, Coworker, Adventurer, Athlete, Scholar…

Amanda has worn many hats

and the one that is most special…

simply my sweet baby girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!

I am proud to be your Mom!

Sunday Thanksgiving Dinner

November 23, 2017

Each year since 2012 I have been preparing a traditional thanksgiving dinner at my house on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day.

I call it

“Sunday before Thanksgiving Dinner”

Which I mentioned briefly in my recent Pecan Pie Bars post here.
As I mentioned in that post, when I was growing up my family would visit either my maternal grandparents (Mema and Papa Duck’s house)
or paternal grandparents (Mema and Grandpa Reid’s house) each year.

In an effort to have the undivided attention of those closest to me

I began my own tradition of hosting Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time.

At this family event, I take responsibility for providing the dinner

so I can enjoy the holiday early with my Mama and my kids.

In 2015 a new member joined us

She likes the idea of the turkey, but has yet to try it.

This year our menu included turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato soufflé, Brussels sprouts wrapped in bacon, green bean casserole, English pea salad, cranberry/orange salad…
pumpkin roll, pecan pie bars, and, of course, pumpkin pie.

And I wouldn’t be able to do it without LB!

It was delicious, if I do say so myself!

After dinner chillin’ early on would typically resemble this…But nowadays resembles this…And chocolate milk is the main entree while entertainment is watching The Little Mermaid all cozy on the vintage Beauty and the Beast sleeping bags.

Whatever makes that baby happy is just fine with Glammy.

Let the Holiday Festivities BEGIN!

Disney Bound

November 16, 2017

About a year ago I read a blog post about:

What to Wear to Disney World

The post began with a lesson on proper amusement park footwear. Next was provided advice on what type of bag/backpack to carry. The same post went on to include various summertime outfits that were very cute. It was very informative and well written.

This week we experienced Magic Kingdom Monday in my family; I couldn’t help but remember the “What to Wear to Disney World” post. However, when it comes to planning what to wear when visiting the Amusement Park, no one has it figured out like my sister and her family.Gina recently introduced me the the concept of

Disneybounding

For anyone who isn’t familiar with that concept, Disneybounding is a subdued, yet fashion-forward way for Disney fans to express their enthusiasm.

Although you likely had not considered this, there are rules and regulations that must be followed in order to obtain admission to the park. Besides having a ticket, you must not disregard Disney’s prohibited activities. One of these prohibited activities is dressing in costume; i.e. “engaging with other guests or impeding the operation while posing as or portraying any character in costume” (source) unless you’re under the age of 14. Because fans aren’t permitted to dress up as these much loved characters, a sub-culture of fashion has arisen. Instead of wearing costumes, Disneybounders dress in everyday outfits that are inspired by any particular Disney character within the Disney universe.

Here are some fun examples:

Stuart inspired by Aladdin posing with Minnie Mouse.

Here Levi strikes a fierce pose as little Mickey Mouse.

Sydney and Dillon are Minnie and Mickey inspired.

Sydney channeling a gloomy Eeyore.

And on another occasion a lovely Disney Princess.

Here Stuart is inspired by a character I couldn’t place. When I asked Gina, she told me to “guess”.

I think Stuart’s inspiration may have come from GOOFY, but my apologies if I’m wrong!

Stuart has always been creative, but I believe my favorite creative character re-creation came from Hei Hei.

Good job Stu!

The baby girls in the family are little princesses and both Lydia and Thea dressed as Belle on our recent trip to the Magic Kingdom.It appears that Levi is impressed.

In addition to Disneybounding, there is another Disney fashion trend that is timeless.

The donning of the

Mouse Ears

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This season produced a particular favorite: the coveted rose gold sequined Minnie Mouse ears.

I considered several possibilities for a part in the Disneybounding experience on our recent trip, but I’m not as flamboyant as I would like to be, and opted for a simple tee shirt.

That’s Me!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

Magic Kingdom Monday

November 14, 2017

Earlier this year, it was decided that the whole extended, seventeen-member family, should take a trip to

Disney World

Where Dreams Come True.

I have to say that it was a wonderful idea and Stephanie did a great job organizing everything for the whole group.

It isn’t easy running the show.

But it went off without a hitch, as everyone made it to the Orlando Fairfield Inn safe and sound on Sunday and later in the evening met at Disney Springs for dinner at Planet Hollywood.

After dinner we explored the shops at Disney Springs. Zara was my favorite.

Then the Real Fun Began

On Monday, part of our crew woke up extremely early in an effort to beat the crowd to the Magic Kingdom. The rest of us slept awhile longer and made our way to the park later that morning.

We were met by the welcoming committee at the entrance to the park.(Kyle is okay)

Stephanie and Amanda introduced us to the Disney App.

They used it to assemble our family into a Disney group and to choose/amend the group’s FastPass options for various attractions.

We FastPassed our way to the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear, the PhilharMagic Show, and Space Mountain.

We were also able to use the app to order lunch ahead of time and avoid standing in line at Pinocchio House. It was pretty handy.

Then there was the carousel ride with Lydia.

I enjoyed our time chatting on the Carousel. That was my favorite.

I can’t say enough good things about the members of my family. They love to have a good time!

My Mama doesn’t typically spend several hours per day on her feet. However, she seemed to enjoy herself. My nephew Clay is a take-charge young man who made the day easier for Mama.

Clay’s wife Chynna and my daughter-in-law Emily, handled their small children with grace, right through the inevitable afternoon cranky time.

LB was able to navigate a Dayquil-dazed Kim through the park, and offer a tissue when necessary. And as I mentioned, Stephanie put the plan into action and kept the group together…making it a memorable day for us all…

Mary, Gina, Stuart, Stephanie, Amanda, Richard, Emily, Lydia, Kyle, Clay, Chynna, Dillon, Sydney, Levi, Thea

and My Favorite Cameraman…

#MemaDoesDisney2017

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

There’s this little boy

November 9, 2017

…who calls me Ma

His little hands stole my heart, and his little feet ran away with it.

My sweet baby boy.

And although he is no longer a little boy, he is still the baby of the family.

Richard

came into the world 27 years ago today. At the time we had been blessed with little girls, so to have a baby boy join the circle was an exciting event.

Those little girls weren’t completely excited about that event

Although they changed their tune when they discovered it was fun to dress him up like a princess with a purseAnd soon learned that they love him dearlyToday they are inseparable.

Richard had no interest in playing the part of the princess, but instead preferred to play the part of BatmanAnd still likes to play the part of Batman.
He had a handful of special friends as a little boy

Who continued to be friends through the years.

And even remain good friends to this day.
After he became part of the High School Ministry at First Baptist Jacksonville, Rich had the opportunity to participate in a few mission trips, including a trip Nicaragua to help minister to a small community and church there. As the years have passed his focus continues to be spiritual.

After high school he studied at Liberty University and has a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Today he works as a Collegiate Missionary at Campus Church UNF

He is married to a beautiful young lady; His own Mama, couldn’t have chosen a more perfect mate for him. And now he has a baby of his own.

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

I’ll Love You Forever.

I’ll Like You For Always.

As Long As I’m Living…

My Baby You’ll Be.

Stephanie

November 1, 2017

It is a fact

that nothing has changed my life so dramatically as did the arrival of

My Firstborn

Weighing a mere 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 19 tiny inches in length, Stephanie arrived at 4:14 PM on Friday,

November 1, 1985

…and the world has never been the same.

My world was not the only one that was altered.

She changed my Mama’s world too!

And brought into being the One and Only Mema Mary!

Stephanie was a pretty baby girl.

In the hospital, when the nurses changed shifts, each would tell me what a pretty baby she was, one commenting that she had a complexion of peaches and cream.

Although it seemed to take years for her to grow hair,

Stephanie was a little princess.

At thirteen months old, she became the big sister…and later on she became the leader of the pack.She is a valued Stein Mart Associate.And she is an integral part of our family…and a beloved friend to many.Stephanie is the Family Fashionista.She is the one I consult for choosing the best shoes, trends, colors, etc.

Stephanie loves to display her creativity in the kitchenand will be my head baker if I ever get that bakery business going.

She may not demand attention, but she draws it regardless.

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Stephanie…

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Weekend Recap

October 24, 2017

As I mentioned in my “Revealed” post yesterday, my weekend began when I gleefully left work on

Friday Evening

Stephanie organized a lovely party, and everyone went home knowing the answer to the big question…

(It’s A Girl)

And my cupcakes were delicious!Especially the PINK ONES!

Switching gears…

LB has been thinking about furnishing our bonus room with a large screen television and recliners.

Saturday

he decided we should check out a local wholesale company.

We visited

Mary’s Wholesale Furniture

And now…

some pictures from that visit I didn’t see anything in the showroom that tempted me.

However, when we asked a salesperson if there she could show us theater seating, we were taken to a catalog room and shown quite a few selections. That little stop provided us with a good starting place for continued shopping.

I’m looking forward to putting the “Theater Room” together and having movie-watching-fun with LB or my kids when they come by.

Afterward, we went to dinner.

La Nopalera.Yet again.

Then back to Kohl’s to spend my $30 in Kohl’s cash.

After making friends with the staffAnd showing LB the perfect socksI was on a mission to find the perfect $30 Kohl’s cash purchase.

It was rough deciding what to choose. There were several possibilitiesBut my ever faithful cameraman followed me closely, to capture every momentHe always catches me at my best.

In this shot I’m trying on the Jennifer Lopez Beaded Neck Cold-Shoulder Top and the Petite Simply Vera Vera Wang Straight-Leg Jeans. YES, PETITE. I’m 5’4″ and once in a while, a petite will work for me. Although in this picture I look like I’ve lost my mind, I loved the fit of this denim.

This ELLE™ Mockneck Shift Dress was a favoriteProbably because there was a gold tassel necklace attached. I’m a sucker.

So… I spent my Kohl’s cash and then some.

That said, I spent

Sunday

reorganizing my closet!