by Joey | Oct 7, 2013 | Throwback
1.she let me paint her nails 2. sitting in the scalding hot black seats–they didn’t think that through when they built the stadium
3. Riding in J’s truck bed on the way home 4. Game Night
First of all, let me just ask one question. It IS October, right? Because Saturday’s weather (and my awesome farmer’s tan) would suggest otherwise.
This weekend my BFF and her husband so kindly came to take care of me visit. J and I spent the morning in the hospital on Friday (I know, anyone else getting tired of that place? Because I sure am. My procedures went well, though. And we’ll have more direction and answers later this week. And hopefully a date for an operation). When Abby got here, she and her hubby ordered pizza and we settled in on the couch and watched hours of Glee! When J got home we put in Anchorman, and it was a blissful evening.
Saturday was game time. Abby and I ran over to the Bookstore first thing to grab a couple of hats. I knew the temp was going to get near 90–and our seats wouldn’t be in the shade (wah!). We packed up some water bottles and made the very long journey over to the stadium (sarcasm doesn’t translate well in text, does it? Okay. We live approx 30 seconds from the stadium).
Oh. It was breast cancer awareness, so we were all decked out in our pink.
It. Was. Hot. Roasting hot. I’m still not well. And I still have a fever (anyone know what happens when you get hot when you have a fever? You pass out. Luckily, I didn’t–but I was close a couple times). Since I’m a very important person (man, there really needs to be a sarcasm font), I have a pass that allows us access to the field house during the game. That sure came in handy when we needed to refill our water bottles and soak in some air conditioning for a few.
After the game, the boys went and picked up dinner and we girls got in our comfies. Wine might have been poured and we settled in for a game of Phase 10. I’d never played before and somehow miraculously won. And then we started a second game. And I became a toddler. I don’t know if it was a mixture of the pain, the heat from earlier and the exhaustion…but I ended up quitting that game two rounds in because I kept getting skipped. I was a real adult. I was really proud.
Overall, this weekend just did my heart some good. It’s been a long few months and sometimes you just need to shake things up and have a little fun no matter the circumstances!
linked with: weekendshenanigans, mmg
by Joey | Oct 3, 2013 | Throwback
It’s 8:03AM. I already made J’s breakfast and reassumed my position in the bed. Mornings are tough for me, people. J’s in the closet, and I’m telling him about a book I just bought.
My sister’s co-worker wrote a book. It was only 99 cents s–
J pops out of the closet with full swagger.
But shit, it was ninety-nine cents! (Bag it)
Coppin’ it, washin’ it, ’bout to go and get some compliments
Passin’ up on those moccasins someone else’s been walkin’ in
That’s my husband, y’all.
by Joey | Oct 2, 2013 | Throwback
I miss you guys. I mean it. I just miss sitting down and feeling like I’m talking with you all. I’ve missed writing in every aspect the last few months. I know you know things have been a little whacky over here lately. It’s just unreal to me as this whole thing progresses how little we know about our own bodies. And it also baffles me what you learn about people as you go through something (for me) a little bit core shaking.
No one likes to feel out of control. At least I don’t think they do. And every time we think we have a grasp on this whole situation, a curve ball gets thrown and something changes. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I ended up in the ER on Monday night. I had posted it to twitter then got a blasting from my siblings and cousin because I was trying to keep my parents out of the loop.
That’s not as mean as it sounds, I promise. They’re on a cruise with all of their friends right now. And my mom was so relieved after my doctor’s appointment last week to know that I wouldn’t end up in the ER or have any surgery or any kind of procedure while she was gone. Crap. I think she jinxed me 😉 My sister had strict instructions to contact them if they decided to operate on Monday. Otherwise, I felt like I didn’t want them to worry on their trip when I was in good hands. However, I’m having two procedures done on Friday that have me under anesthesia, so I had to write the dreaded email and inform my parents.
Basically what happened is my symptoms all just progressed to a new level. Generally speaking through this entire saga, I’ve felt fine while I’m not having what I can only assume is an attack. My day to day was pretty normal aside from just feeling over all tired. But Sunday morning I just felt wrong. Nauseated. Splitting head ache (have you ever dry heaved with a massive headache? I swear to you I thought my head cracked open). Some other symptoms popped up, and I stupidly googled. It was one of those symptoms that every thing I read on the internet had big, bold letters seek medical attention immediately. Well, crap.
We had the football potluck on Sunday (you know, the one where our husbands usually wait until less than 24 hours before to tell us we need to make xyz for 25+ people). I cheated and used boxed chocolate chip cookie brownie bars. They turned out hard as rocks (yay!) and as I was packing up the goodies I just had that overwhelming fear. I called my sister and tried not to break down. I told her what was going on–and she and I were just torn about what to do. I didn’t want to be the crazy person who went to the ER for no good reason. But then again I didn’t want to be the moron who had crazy symptoms and ignored them. I met J at the field house and told him what was going on. We didn’t know what to do. I didn’t eat a bite.
Have you ever had one of those moments in your life when you realize you have to be the adult? There is no one else that’s going to swoop in and tell you what to do? And all I wanted was for someone to clear as day say “go to bed” or “go to the ER.” I even contemplated calling my best friend’s mom and seeking her maternal instinct care. Ultimately, I went to bed. I didn’t sleep, but I went to bed.
I hemmed and hawed all day on Monday about going to the doctor. I called my regular gastro and they couldn’t see me until wednesday but said if the symptoms persisted to go to the ER. We decided to go to the campus doctor and they turned me away: all booked up. That’s when we finally decided to just go to the ER.
They really couldn’t do much for me at the ER since I’ve already had almost every test and scan under the sun. If it did nothing else, it expedited everything. My first procedure wasn’t supposed to be until Oct 25. The second one was getting even harder to schedule and they threw November dates out to me. All the while I just kept thinking you know I’m in pain now, right? I’ve been trying to be patient. But all of this has been going on since August and only seems to be getting worse. But all of your prayers have been helping. Somehow, miraculously, someone cancelled their appointment for this Friday and they were able to schedule me for both procedures. I have to have someone with me since they put me under–I knew J would be there, but I just felt bad that he’d be missing some work the day before a game. I came to find out last night that he doesn’t have to be in until 3 on Friday–he won’t miss a lick of work. Tears sprung to my eyes. How miraculously it all worked out.
My best friend and her husband are coming to town this weekend for the game. I told them what was going on and feared they might say they’d better not come. I mean, I get it. Who wants to drive 4.5 to hang out with someone the day they’ve been put under anesthesia? I gave her an out, and she insisted. She said she’d rather come and help if she can. That’s friendship right there, friends.
I’ve felt so loved and supported through all of this. I’m sorry for the novel–and if you’e made it this far, you rock! It’s just good to sit down and write it out sometimes.
Happy, uh? I don’t even know what day it is. Never mind.
by Joey | Sep 27, 2013 | beauty, Loves, Throwback
Colors used: W&W megalast: on a trip, Sally Hansen White On, W&W megalast: sparkle and gray, W&W megalast tahitian pearl.
1. Okay. I did something a little different this week. I almost jumped up and down and squealed when it actually worked. okok, I really did that. I am not talented in the way of nail design. And I know for a fact whenever I mess with tape, I always always screw it up. But I really wanted the zig zag look. I’d say chevron–but this is no chevron. Listen up girls–this is genius.
Y’all. I painted a thick and I mean THICK glob of the green polish in a rectangle shape on a freezer bag. And then I let it dry over night. I used tweezers and peeled the polish off the bag. And then I used pinking shears and cut the zig zag pattern and STUCK IT RIGHT ON MY NAIL. Voila! At home nail stickers. You’re welcome. ps. I sealed the stickers with top coat (seche vite).
2. I was cutting up some bagels to freeze on Wednesday night. I use against my better judgement the huge serrated knife because I have to buy my bagels in Raleigh and by time I get home they’re a little hard. That knife just works best. Well, we all know I’m a liability. The knife slipped and got my hand. You know how when stuff like that happens you just react by covering it up with your other hand because a lot of times you can’t feel the pain right away of how bad it is? Well, that happened. So I walked into the living room with this guilty look on my face and gripping my hand. J immediately asked “you cut yourself, didn’t you?” I nodded. “With what,” he asked as he walked into the kitchen and saw the giant serrated knife. “Okay. Okay. Come here (to the sink). Run your hand under this and just look at me. I do as I’m told. Then: “OH MY GOD,” and he walks away. “What?” I holler, thinking my hand is sliced in two and he can’t bare the sight. He starts laughing. “It’s just a scrape, isn’t it?” I ask. I look at my hand and have to laugh out loud. The tiniest of cuts.
3. It’s been getting cooler and cooler here the last few days and I’m loving it. And I’m guilty of already busting out my boots. My IRL turned blogging friend Courtney made quite a funny comment on twitter last week:
So true, friend. So true. And I’m totally guilty of both.
4. I’ve busted out some of my favorite fall scents for my tart warmers! I love the Yankee Candle tarts in apple pumpkin, spiced pumpkin and apple cider. I also LOVE the 6 pack tarts from walmart in apple pumpkin (I actually prefer their AP to yankee candles’) and warm autumn welcome. I just love a house that smells warm and inviting!
5. You guys. I am embarrassingly behind on my reading. It’s so bad at the point that I’m afraid I might not make my goal of 75 books this year. I really need to kick up my game. It’s funny to me how working from home I have less time to read. Uh, what? Yeah. I’m currently working my way through Diane Chamberlain’s Break The Silence and I’m loving it. I’ll review it once I finish it–which better be soon!
linked with: h54f, thenailfiles, fridaybookclub
by Joey | Sep 24, 2013 | beauty, Loves
Every week I get this question: Do you just paint your nails very neatly or do you clean them up after?
And honestly, it’s a little of both.
1)Yes. I somehow over the years have managed to learn to practice extra care while painting my nails. BUT some brands are easier than others to master the neat manicure with. I have amazing luck with OPI and almost never need to clean up (right or left hand). When I use Essie, it looks like a toddler painted my nails. I also have huge luck with, surprise surprise, Wet & Wild Megalast polishes.
2) 9 times out of 10, I do have some clean up. It’s usually very minor (because I’m a crazy-type-A-control freak who can’t stand a mess). So minor, in fact, that I don’t usually take care of it right away. And this is where my embarrassing tip comes in.
So what do you do to clean up you might be wondering.
I pick at it in the shower. The steam from the shower loosens the paint on your skin and it lifts right up.
If I’m going somewhere right away–I’ll thoroughly wash my hands with warm/hot water until I’m able to pick off all the mess.
I’m telling you–it’s very scientific.
And extremely professional.
But it’s the truth.
I was so determined to have an answer for you all that was a little bit more, uhm, sophisticated. So I tried the put a greasy lotion around your cuticles so messes won’t stick method for you. It was an epic fail on my end.
yes, my desk is also peeling. Do not judge my life. 😉
I used vaseline. And I think the issue (aside from user error, I’m sure) is that I apply a generous amount of top coat (seche vite). I don’t think my top coat was all the way dry and had already “meshed” with all the other layers when I started to clean up. As you can see, my right hand is what peeled. My left hand rarely has anything to clean up. Obviously this cute mani didn’t survive. There is also a slight chance that some of the vaseline (which I applied with a q-tip) might have gotten onto my actual nail. And we all know what happens when your nails aren’t clean. Polish won’t stick.
So the moral of this story? I have no fancy way of cleaning up my nails. I pick it off in the shower.
The end.
